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23  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WnSTIR.N.Y.  USIO 

(r  16)172-4503 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/iCMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  hittoriques 


Tttchnical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquas 

Tha  inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  avaiiabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
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L'Inatitut  a  microfilm*  la  maillaur  axamplaira 
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da  cat  axamplaira  qui  sont  paut-Atra  uniquas  du 
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una  imaga  raproduita,  ou  qui  pauvant  axigar  una 
modification  dans  la  mAthoda  normaia  da  filmaga 
sont  indiquAs  ci-daasous. 

Coiourad  covars/ 
...     Couvartura  da  coulaur 

•l 

Coiourad  pagas/ 
Pagaa  da  coulaur 

Covars  damagad/                                    >     ;   ^ 
Couvartura  andommagAa 

Pagaa  damagad/ 
Pagas  andommagAas 

Covars  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastaurte  at/ou  palliculAa 

1 

Pagas  rastorad  and/or  laminated/ 
Pagas  rastaurAes  at/ou  pelliculAes 

Covar  titia  missing/ 

La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

:■■*.!. 

Pagas  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pagas  dAcolorAes,  tachetAes  ou  piquAes 

Coiourad  maps/ 
1 — 1   Cartas  g«ographiquas  an  coulaur 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachAes 

Coiourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 

y 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

1     1   Coiourad  platas  and/or  iiluatrationa/ 
Planchas  at/ou  iiluatrationa  an  coulaur 

V 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
QualitA  inigaia  da  rimpresslon 

0 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avac  d'autras  documents 


I      I    Includes  SMpplementary  material/ 


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tol 


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Ori 
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the 
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r~71    Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 


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along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 

distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  IntArieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
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lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  la  taxte, 
mala,  lorsqua  cela  Atait  poaaibia,  ces  pagas  n'ont 
paa  6t*  filmAas. 


D 

D 


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0 


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Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-deasous. 


Th< 
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22X 

26X 

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12X 

16X 

20X 

24X                            28X                            32X 

The  copy  film«d  hare  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
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g4n4roait4  da: 

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conformltA  avac  les  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Les  examplalrea  orlginaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
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par  la  premier  plat  at  an  terminant  solt  par  la 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impresslon  ou  d'illustration.  aoit  par  la  second 
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orlginaux  sont  filmis  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreasion  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END  "), 
whichever  applies.        "^ 


Un  dee  symboles  sulvants  apparattra  sur  la 
derni&re  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  aalon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  *►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  bo 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmto  A  des  taux  de  rMuction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich*.  II  est  film*  A  pertir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n^cessaira.  Les  diagrammes  suivanta 
illustrant  la  m^thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

6 

>l    t 


H 


ffTT 


HISTORY 


'i-; 


I    ■■' 


or 


THE   NAVY 


OF  THB 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA. 


FROM  1815  TO  1853. 


FROM  MANUSCRIPTS  OF  J.  FENIMORE  COOPER,  AND 
OTHER  AUTHENTIC  SOURCES. 


NEW   YORK: 

G.  P.  PUTNAM  &  CO^  10  PARK  PLACE. 

1853. 


■i     /:« 


o.f  An 


iVK^ 


X I   ; 


// 


CONTENTS  TO  VOL  m. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Declaration  of  wtr  >«init  Alglert— Games  of  the  war— Com.  Decatar  sail*  with  hU  tqaadron— 
Captures  an  Algerine  frigate  and  brig— Treaty  with  Algiers— Loss  of  the  Epervier— e>ettiei 
difflculties  with  Tunis  and  Tripoli- Squadron  of  Com.  Uain bridge— Com.  8haw  left  in  com- 
mand — Organization  of  the  Navy  Board— Increase  and  improvement  of  the  Navy— Employ 
ment  of  sblpB  on  varloua  statioua— Death  of  Com.  Ferry— Death  of  Com.  Decatur,   •   Pag»  J 

CHAPTER  II. 

Mexican  and  South  American  Revolutions— Paper  blockade*— Piracies  In  the  West  Indict— 
Vessels  ordered  there— Captures  by  Lieutenanto  Kearney  and  Ramage  —Com.  Biddle  sent 
with  an  increased  force— Captures  bv  Lieut  Gregory— Death  of  Lieut.  Allen— AUigator 
wrecked— Captures  by  Capt.  Cassin— Difficulty  of  suppressing  piracies— Com.  Porter  takes  the 
command- AflUr  at  St  John's— Arrangement  of  Com.  Porter's  force— Various  captures  by 
Captain  Casein,  Lieuts.  Stribilng,  Newell,  Watson,  Kearney,  Skinner  and  Paine— AfiUr  at 
Foxardo  and  Porter's  recall— Com.  Warrington  supersedes  him  —Loss  of  the  Ferret— Gap' 
tures  by  Lieuts.  Sloat  and  McKeever— Suppression  of  the  system  of  piracy,     •       -       •SO 


CHAPTER  III. 

Potomac  under  Com.  Downes  ordered  to  the  East  Indies— Attack  of  Malays  on  the  crew  of  the 
ship  Friendship— Potomac  arrives  at  Quallah  Battoo— Landing  of  the  forces  and  attack  upon  the 
town  under  Lieut  Shubriok- Sharp  encounters  at  the  several  forts— Malays  defeated  and  pun- 
iatied— Death  of  Com.  Bainbridge— Deaths  of  several  of  the  older  Commodores,      •       -    31 

CHAPTER  IV. 

United  Stales  Exploring  Expedition— Lieut.  Wilkes  appointed  to  the  command— Sails  in  Angntt, 
1838— Progress  to  Cape  Horn— First  Antarctic  cruise— Loss  of  the  Sea  Gull— Progress  to  Syd- 
ney— Second  Antarctic  cruise — Perils  and  escapes — Peacock  among  the  ice — Return  to  the 

■  northward— Extensive  explorations  among  the  South  Sea  islands — Attack  upon  Sualib — Mur- 
der of  Lieut.  Underwood  and  Midshipman  Henry— Severe  punishment  of  the  natives — A.'rival 
at  the  Sandwich  Islands— Cruisings  among  various  island  groups— Arrival  and  surveys  upon 
the  north-west  coast— Cruise  of  the  Peacock— Her  wreck  at  the  Columbia  river— Return  of 
the  vessels  across  the  Pacific— Rendezvous  at  Singapore — Course  homeward— Mutiny  on  board 
U.  8.  brig  Somers, ' 38 

CHAPTER  V. 

Capture  of  Monterey  by  Com.  Jones— Relations  of  United  States  and  Mexico— Commencement 
of  hostilities  —  Com.  Sloat's  movements  in  the  Pacific  —  Com.  Stockton  assumes  the  command 
of  Pacific  squadron— Co-operates  with  Major  Fremont— Enters  Los  Angelos— Los  Angeloa 
retaken  by  the  Mexicans— Com.  Stockton  forms  a  junction  with  Gen.  Kearney— Battles  of  San 
Gabriel  and  Mesa- Recapture  of  Los  Ani^elos— Com.  Shubrlck  aosumes  the  command  of  the 
squadron  —  Guaymas,  La  Paz,  and  San  Jose  taken  —  Capture  of  Mazatlan  —  Affair  at  Muleje 
and  Guaymas  —  First  defence  of  San  Jose  by  Lieut.  Hey  wood —  Various  movements  on  the 
coast  —  Second  siege  and  defence  of  San  Jose  —  Garrison  relieved  by  Commander  Da  Pont  — 
Quiet  restored  in  Lower  California, 55 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Com.  Conner  on  the  east  coast  of  Mexico— Blockade— Expedition  against  Tobasco  and  Alva- 
rado— Plan  of  attack  on  Vera  Cruz— Minor  towns  taken— Loss  of  the  Somers— Landing  of 
the  American  army— Com.  Perry  relieves  Com.  Conner  —  Bombardment  of  Vera  Cruz  — 
Capture  of  Alvarado,  Tuspan  and  Tobasco,  and  occupation  of  Mexican  ports— Skirmishes- 
Services  of  marine  corpa— Gen.  Quitman— Death  of  Mi^or  Twigge,       -         •       -       -    78 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Lieutenant  Lynch's  expedition  to  the  Dead  Sea  in  1848— Dangerous  navigation  of  the  River 
Jordan  —  Scientific  results  of  the  expedition  —  The  GrinneU  expedition  in  search  of  Sir 
John  Franklin  —  Dangers  of  the  Ice  —  Severe  cold  and  darkness  —  No  tidings  of  the  lost 
Mariners— Proposed  expeditions  to  Japan,  China,  River  La  Plata,  and  western  coast  of  AMe^  , 
—Condition  and  resources  of  the  Navy  in  1853, 9* 


.'  -'.. 


I/] 


'•     .I,'--      ■    ■'        ■■'■     ; 


NAVAL  HISTORY 

OF  THB 

UNITED  STATES. 


CONTINUED  FROM  1816. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Declanttion  of  war  aninst  Algleri— Ganges  of  the  war— Cora.  Decatur  laila  with  hia  ■quadron— 
Captures  an  Algerine  flrigate  and  brig— Treaty  with  Algiers— Loss  of  the  Rpervler— Settles 
difficulties  with  Tunis  and  Tripoli— Squsdron  of  Com.  Ualnbridgfe— Cora.  Shaw  left  in  com. 
Riand- Organization  of  the  Navy  Board— Increase  and  improvement  of  the  Navy— Kniploy* 
ment  of  ships  on  various  stations— Death  of  Com.  Ferry— Death  of  Com.  Decatur. 

Thb  proclamation  of  the  treaty  of  peace  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain,  was  issued  by  President  Madison  on  the  18th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1815.  On  the  23d  of  the  same  month,  the  President  transmitted 
to  the  House  of  Representatives,  a  report  from  Mr.  Monroe,  secretary  of 
state,  on  the  relations  of  the  United  States  to  the  Barbary  powers.  On 
the  same  day  the  President  also  recommended  to  Congress  *'  the  expedi- 
ency of  an  act  declaring  the  existence  of  a  state  of  war  between  the 
United  States  and  the  Dey  of  Algiers:  and  of  such  proviuons  as  may 
be  requisite  for  a  vigorous  prose^'ivcion  of  it  to  a  successful  issue."  Con- 
gress complied  with  this  rec  A.:nendation,  and  declared  war.  The 
aggressions  of  Algiers  date  back  t  /  the  year  in  which  war  was  declared 
against  Great  Britain ;  but  as  American  commerce  was  entirely  shut  out 
of  the  Mediterranean  in  consequence  of  that  war,  and  as  an  adequate 
naval  force  could  not  be  sent  to  that  sea,  nor  operate  safely  against  ooth 
Algiers  and  the  British  cruisers,  it  was  neither  important  nor  possible,  at 
that  time,  to  take  notice  of  the  hostile  proceedings. 

The  spirit  of  the  Dey  of  Algiers  was  sufficiently  manifest  from  his 
acts.  In  the  month  of  July,  1812,  he  pretended  to  take  offence  at  the 
quality  and  quantity  of  certain  military  stores  which  were  sent  him  by 
the  United  States  in  accordance  with  the  treaty  of  1795.  He  refused 
to  receive  the  stores.  He  threatened  to  imprison  the  American  consul- 
general,  and  to  make  slaves  of  all  Americans  in  his  dominions;  and  by 
these  threats,  extorted  from  the  consul  a  large  sum  of.  money,  which  he 
claimed  as  arrearages  of  treaty  stipulations,  but  which  the  United  States 
denied  to  be  due.  And  in  the  end,  he  compelled  the  consul  r.nd  all 
Americans  suddenly  to  leave  the  country,  much  to  the  injury  of  their 
affairs,  and  in  plain  violation  of  the  existing  treaty. 

He  then  extended  his  aggressions  to  the  sea.    On  the  25th  of  August, 


8 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1816 


an  Algerine  corsair  captured  the  American  briff  Edwin,  of  Salem,  Gap* 
tain  George  Smith,  bound  from  Malta  to  Gibraltar.  The  brig  was  taken 
into  Algiers  as  a  prize,  and  the  captain  and  his  crew,  consisting  of  ten 
men,  were  retained  as  captives. 

A  vessel,  bearing  the  Spanish  flag,  was  seized  and  condemned  in  the 
port  of  Algiers,  on  the  pretence  of  being  an  American  vessel.  In  this 
vessel  was  an  American  citizen,  Mr.  Pollard  of  Virginiv,  who  was  also 
retained  as  a  captive. 

Efforts  were  made  to  redeem  these  captives,  the  government  offering 
for  ransom  as  high  as  three  thousand  dollars  per  man.  But  the  Dey 
refused  to  accept  the  offer,  and  avowed  his  intention  of  increasing  aa 
much  as  possible  the  number  of  h'fs  captives,  in  order  to  compel  the 
United  States  to  come  to  his  own  terms.  It  was  thus  manifest  that  the 
Dey  had  ventured  upon  a  violation  of  the  treaty  for  the  satisfaction  of 
his  own  rapacity,  probably  led  on  by  the  plausible  hope  of  impunity, 
inasmuch  as  the  United  States  were  involved  in  a  war  with  the  most 
mighty  maritime  power  of  the  world.  There  is  also  sufficient  evidence 
for  the  belief,  that  agents  of  the  British  government  incited  him  to  this 
course,  flattering  him  with  the  assurance  that  in  a  short  time  the  armed 
vessels  of  the  United  States  would  be  swept  from  the  ocean.  The  wars 
of  continental  Europe  had  almost  entirely  destroyed  the  commerce  of 
all  the  states  but  Britain.  Her  triumphant  naval  power  afforded  a  free 
ocean  to  her  merchant  fleets.  She  could  afford  to  pay  tribute  to  tho 
Barbaiy  pirates,  while  their  depredations  made  commerce  unsafe  under  the 
flag  of  weaker  maritime  nations,  and  thus  threw  into  her  own  hands  the 
great  proportion  of  the  trade  which  was  subject  to  these  exposures.  Her 
statesmen  by  no  means  feared  these  small  African  states,  but  they  humored 
and  endured  them  for  their  own  national  profit.  Her  navy,  which  had 
in  these  very  seas,  off  the  Nile  and  off  Trafalgar,  won  the  most  brilliant 
renown  and  indisputable  supremacy,  would  have  deemed  it  a  mere  inci 
dental  skirmish  to  drive  every  freebooting  corsair  from  the  highway  of 
commerce,  and  to  compel  these  lawless  powers  to  be  most  timid  and 
faithful  observers  of  the  laws  of  nations :  but  this  would  not  have  been 
politic.  These  long-indulged  pirates  could  be  advantageously  used  to 
frighten  feebler  nations  from  the  track,  over  which  British  commerce 
might  pass  unmolested.  And  the  humiliation  of  tribute  was  but  a  small 
price  for  such  an  advantage.  This  charge  of  mercenary  selfishness  must 
be  admit  :ed  in  order  to  account  for  England's  long  endurance  of  such  an 
annoyance  and  outrage.  It  was  far  more  of  an  annoyance  and  an  injury 
to  others  than  it  was  to  her;  she  could  therefore  contemplate  it  with 
considerable  complacency.  The  great  competitor  with  her  for  the  trade 
of  the  world  had,  for  some  time,  been  the  United  States.  The  motive, 
therefore,  was  strong  and  enticing  for  inducing  a  rupture  between  this 
competitor  and  the  Barbary  powers,  at  a  time  when  the  distant  govern- 
ment in  America  could,  by  no  display  of  force,  protect  its  assailed 
commerce. 

As  soon,  however,  as  the  war  with  Great  Britain  was  concluded  by  a 
satisfactory  peace,  the  American  government  turned  its  attention  to  the 
work  of  reopening  the  important  avenue  for  our  commerce,  which 
stretched  along  under  the  very  citadels  of  these  treacherous  Algerines.    It 


1815.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


took  the  moat  efficient  means  to  punish  their  perfidy,  and  to  enforce 
respect  for  its  treaties  and  accredited  representatives. 

The  peace  had  left  the  entire  navy  at  the  disposal  of  the  govemment 
for  this  purpose.  And  after  all  the  losses,  hazards,  and  casu^ties  of  the 
late  struggle,  there  was  still  an  effective  force  fully  adequate  to  the  pro- 
posed undertaking.  Orders  were  promptly  issued  for  fitting  out  two 
squadrons,  one  at  Boston  under  Commodore  Bainbridge,  and  another  at 
New  York  under  Commodore  Decatur.  Com.  Bainbridge  was  appointed 
commander-in-chief  of  the  united  squadrons.  The  selection  of  these  two 
officers  for  this  service  was  peculiarly  appropriate.  It  was  an  honor 
deserved  by  both,  in  view  of  their  distinguished  achievements  in  the  war 
just  closed.  It  was,  moreover,  an  act  of  wisdom  and  policy  to  appoint 
to  the  command,  officers  whose  names  could  not  but  recall  to  the  mem- 
ories of  the  rulers  of  these  predatory  states,  the  former  prowess  and  suc- 
cesses of  the  Americans  on  this  same  coast,  and  whose  previous  acquaintance 
would  qualify  them  more  perfectly  to  deal  with  these  old  enemies,  either 
in  arms  or  in  negotiations. 

The  second  division  of  the  main  squadron  was  first  ready  for  sea. 
Decatur,  honorably  acquitted  of  all  fault  in  the  loss  of  the  President  in 
the  January  preceding,  and  honored  with  this  mark  of  the  continued 
confidence  of  the  government,  proceeded  to  his  command.  The  vessels 
under  his  orders  were,  the  frigate  Guerriere  44,  Captain  Lewis,  on  board 
which  vessel  the  commodore  hoisted  his  broad  pennant;  the  frigate 
Constellation  36,  Captain  Charles  Gordon;  the  frigate  Macedonian  36, 
Captain  Jacob  Jones;  sloop  of  war  Ontario  22,  Commander  Jesse  D. 
Elliott;  brig  Epervier  18,  Lieutenant  Commanding  John  Downes;  brig 
Firefly  14,  Lieut.  Com.  George  W.  iiodgers;  brig  Flambeau  12,  Lieut. 
Com.  J.  B.  Nicholson;  brig  Spark  12,  Lieut.  Com.  T.  Gamble;  schooner 
Spitfire  11,  Lieut.  Com.  A.  J.  Dallas;  schooner  Torch  10,  Lieut.  Com. 
W.  Chauncey. 

This  squadron  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  20tL  of  May,  1815. 
When  a  few  days  out,  a  gale  was  experienced,  in  which  the  brig 
Firefly  was  so  unfortunate  as  to  spring  her  masts,  and  was  obliged  to 
return  to  port  for  repairs.  She  afterward  joined  the  squadron  of  Com. 
Bfjnbridge,  and  was  in  the  Mediterranean  under  him. 

Decatur  stood  directly  across  the  Atlantic,  making  a  rapid  passage  for 
a  squadron.  Considering  it  possible  that  the  Algerine  squadron  might 
be  cruising  in  the  Atlantic,  he  cautiously  approached  the  coast  of  Africa, 
speaking  every  vessel  coming  in  his  way,  and  seeking  all  the  information 
attainable.  His  desire  was  to  come  upon  the  whole  fleet  by  surprise;  for 
the  preparations  had  been  so  rapidly  made,  that  no  rumor  of  hostilities, 
and  of  the  sailing  of  a  naval  force,  had,  as  yet,  reached  Algiej-s.  On  the 
15th  of  June,  Decatur  touched  at  Tangiers,  and  from  the  American 
consul,  learned  that  the  Algerine  admiral  bad  been  off  that  port  only  the 
day  before,  and  bad  sailed  for  Carthagena,  at  which  port  he  intended  to 
touch. 

He  sailed,  immediately  on  receiving  this  information,  to  the  eastward, 
entering  the  Mediterranean  with  the  whole  squadron;  a  part,  which  bad 
separated  during  heavy  weather,  joining  off  Gibraltar. 

On  the  l7th  of  June,  being  off  Cape  de  Gatto,  a  large  vessel  was 


10 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[181fi. 


I  - 


diacovered,  which  wm  soon  detorminod  to  be  nn  Algerino  frignte.  ChoM 
was  given,  but  very  cautiounly,  lest  the  Algerino  should  take  the  alnrm,  and 
escape.  It  is  probable  that  the  chase  at  nrat  supposed  the  squadron  to  be 
English ;  for  the  suspicion  could  hardly  have  been  formed  of  an  American 
force  of  such  a  size  being  in  these  seas,  just  at  the  close  of  a  long  naval 
war  with  Great  Britain.  By  a  mistake  of  one  of  the  vessels  in  hoisting 
American  colors,  the  Algerine  suddenly  perceiving  his  danger,  made  sail  in 
a  most  seaman-like  style,  and  tried  his  sailing  qualities  to  the  utmost,  in  a 
strenuous  effort  to  escape.  The  Constellation  had  the  advantage  in  this 
part  of  the  chase,  and  soon  opened  a  distant  fire.  In  obedience  to  a 
signal  from  the  commodore,  however,  she  sheered  off,  and  the  Querriere 
passed  between  her  and  the  Algerine,  thus  enabling  the  fiag-ship  to  en* 
gage.  This,  Decatur,  with  bis  usual  intrepidity  and  skill,  effected  by 
boldly  running  alongside,  so  as  to  decide  the  combat  by  a  close  action. 
As  he  was  executing  this  manoeuvre,  the  Algerine  poured  in  upon  tho 
deck  of  the  Guerriere,  a  sharp  and  effective  discharge  of  musketry  from 
his  tops,  by  which  four  men  were  wounded.  Notwithstanding  this, 
Decntur  still  retained  his  fire,  and  steadily  held  on  his  course,  until  his 
whole  broadside  could  bear.  Then  ensued  one  of  those  teri-ific  discharges  fur 
which  the  American  ships  had  become  famous,  and  which  had  commenced 
and  decided  so  many  bloody  encounters  on  the  sea.  This  produced 
dreadful  havoc  on  board  the  enemy,  and  was  but  feebly  returned. 
Another  broadside  followed,  which  drove  all  the  men  below,  with  the 
exception  of  a  few  musketeers,  who  still  gallantly  continued  the  hopeless 
contest.  A  formal  surrender  was  not  yet  made,  and  there  was  an  evident 
attempt  to  escape.  But  the  Epervier,  light  as  she  was  in  comparison  with 
the  heavy  Algerine  frigate,  had  been  gallantly  brought  into  action  by 
Lieut.  Com.  Downes,  and  bad  opened  her  fire,  which  had  an  effect  to 
check  this  attempt.  The  combat  was  now  at  an  end,  and  Decatur  took 
possession  of  the  prize.  She  proved  to  be  the  frigate  Mashouda,  of  46 
guns,  with  a  crew  of  between  four  and  five  hundred  men.  She  was 
commanded  by  Admiral  Rais  Hammida,  who  held  the  highest  rank  in 
the  navy  of  the  Dey  of  Algiers.  The  running  fight  continued  about 
twenty-five  minutes.  The  loss  on  board  the  Mashouda  was  considerable; 
the  prisoners  stated  that  about  thirty  were  killed,  and  thrown  overboard. 
Four  hundred  and  six  of  the  crew  were  taken  prisonera.  The  Admiral, 
Hammida,  was  killed  in  the  commencement  of  the  action  on  the  part  of 
the  Guerriere,  being  cut  in  two  by  a  heavy  shot,  on  the  quarter-deck  of 
bis  ship.  His  death  appeared  to  discourage  his  crew,  and  as  a  conse- 
quence, the  contest  was  decided  more  speedily  than  it  would  otherwise 
have  been.  He  was  a  man  of  great  personal  volor,  and  had  fought  his 
way  up  from  the  position  of  a  common  sailor  to  the  command  of  the 
fleet  He  possessed  a  spirit  which  would  have  impelled  him  to  defend 
his  ship  to  the  very  last  effort  of  despair. 

A  very  sad  casualty  occurred  on  board  the  Guerriere  during  the 
broadside  firing.  A  gun  on  the  main-deck  bursted  on  its  first  discharge, 
breaking  up  the  spar-deck,  killing  five  men,  and  badly  wounding  and 
burning  about  thirty  othei-s.  A  piece  of  the  bursting  gun  passed  close 
by  the  head  of  Lieutenant  John  T.  Shubrick,  but  did  him  no  injury. 
Decatur  warmly  commended  the  steadiness  of  the  men  during  this 


[1815. 

te.    ChoM 

Hlnrm,  and 

adron  to  be 

)  American 

long  naval 
in  hoisting 
made  sail  in 
xitmost,  in  a 
itage  in  thii 
idience  to  a 
16  Guerriere 
j-ship  to  en* 

etfected  by 
close  action, 
in  upon  the 
jsketry  from 
Landing  this, 
rse,  until  his 
lischarges  for 
I  commenced 
his  produced 
bly  returned, 
low,  with  the 
1  the  hopeless 
iras  an  evident 
nparison  with 
[ito  action  by 

an  effect  to 
Decatur  took 
ihouda,  of  46 
jn.  She  wos 
rhest  rank  in 
itinued  about 

considerable; 
ivn  overboard. 

'he  Admiral, 
-J  the  part  of 

larter-deck  of 
as  a  conse- 

uld  otherwise 

ad  fought  his 

nmand  of  the 

lim  to  defend 

•e  during  the 
first  discharge, 
ivounding  and 
n  passed  close 
im  no  injury, 
during  this 


1815.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


11 


accident,  of  a  nature  so  likely  to  produce  confuiion,  and  he  anxiously 
urged  upon  the  government  the  exceeding  importance  of  a  more  thorough 
testingof  the  guns.  This  explosion  did  far  more  damage  than  was  effected 
by  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  A  j)ri2e  ottlcer  and  crow  were  t)ut  on  board 
the  captured  vessel,  and  she  waa  sent  into  Carthagena,  under  cuitvoy  of 
the  Macedonian. 

Ailer  this  successful  opening  of  the  war,  Decatur  still  continued  his 
search  for  the  main  fleet.  On  the  19th  of  June,  off  Cape  PhIoh,  a  brig, 
showing  plain  signs  of  being  an  Algerine  corsair,  was  seen  and  chased  for 
three  hours.  She  ran  into  shoal  water,  where  it  was  not  safe  for  the 
larger  vessels  to  follow  her.  Decatur  directed  the  Epervier,  Spark,  Torch, 
and  Spitfire  to  continue  the  chase.  They  soon  opened  their  fire,  when 
the  Algerines  ran  their  brig  aground,  and  after  a  short  resistance,  surren- 
dered. The  vessel  was  called  the  Estedio,  carrying  22  guns,  and  one  h»m- 
dred  and  eighty  men.  On  boarding  her,  twenty-three  men  wore  found 
dead,  and  eighty  were  taken  prisonei-s.  The  rest  escaped  in  boats  to  the 
shore :  one  boat,  however,  was  sunk  in  the  attempt,  by  shot  from  the  vessels. 
The  brig  was  got  off,  and  was  also  sent  into  Carthagena  as  a  prize. 

Having  learned  that  notice  of  his  arrival  ^ry  the  Mediterranean  had 
been  sent  to  Algiers,  and  also  to  the  rest  of  ttiu  Algerine  fleet,  in  conse- 
quence of  which  it  had  taken  refuge  in  Malta,  Decatur  concluded  that 
tnis  would  be  the  most  favorable  and  promising  juncture  for  him  to  ap- 
pear before  Algiers,  and  try  the  virtue  of  his  powers  as  negotiator. 

Commodores  Bainbridge  and  Decatur,  in  connection  with  William 
Shaler,  Esq.,  consul-general  to  the  Barbary  powers,  had  been  appointed 
comniisaioners  to  negotiate  a  treaty  of  peace  with  the  Dey  of  Algiers. 

As  Mr.  Shaler  was  with  Com.  Decatur,  the  majority  of  the  commission 
were  at  liberty  to  take  advantage  of  favorable  circumstances,  without  waiting 
for  the  arrival  of  Corn.  Bainbridge.  On  the  28th  of  June,  the  squadron 
rode  at  anchor  in  the  bay  of  Algiers.  It  may  be  supposed  that  its  formid- 
able appearance  awakened  both  surprise  and  apprehension  in  the  breast 
of  the  Dey.  He  saw  its  power,  but  h«  had  not  yet  heard  of  its  successes. 
Little  did  he  imagine  that  his  favorite  admiral  was  killed,  and  his  best 
ship  was  a  prize.  The  captain  of  the  port  and  the  Swedish  consul  came 
on  board.  To  them  Decatur  delivered  a  letter  from  the  President  to 
the  Dey,  in  which  complaints  were  made  of  the  faithless  violations  of  the 
former  treaty,  and  the  barbarous  aggressions  against  the  persons  and 
property  of  American  citizens,  on  the  part  of  the  Algerine  government. 
The  letter  further  expressed  the  hope  of  an  amicable  adjustment  of 
difficulties,  without  a  continuance  of  war,  otherwise  the  utmost  power  of 
the  government  would  be  exerted  to  bring  the  Dey  to  terms.  The  cap- 
tain of  the  port  was  also  now  first  informed  of  the  captures,  the  account 
of  which  was  confirmed  to  his  satisfaction  by  the  prisoners  on  board.  The 
letter,  the  force  which  was  ou  hand  to  sustain  its  doctrines,  the  losses 
already  experienced  and  keenly  felt,  soon  induced  in  the  Dey  a  more 
humble  and  conciliatory  spirit  and  demeanor,  than  he  was  accustomed  to 
manifest  toward  the  representatives  of  foreign  powers.  He  sent  an  in- 
vitation to  the  commissoners  to  visit  him  at  his  palace,  and  there  to  make 
arrangements  for  a  final  settlement.  His  policy  was  to  enter  into  a 
protracted  course  of  negotiations,  in  order  to  gain  time,  during  which  he 


12 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1810. 


f'^    I 


might  take  advantage  of  some  more  favorable  change  in  his  aft'airs.  Such 
delays  Decatur  wisely  determined  to  avoid.  He  had  the  power  to  obtain 
the  recognition  of  American  rights,  and  he  knew  that  naught  but  sheer 
power  could  gain  the  respect  of  this  half-civilized  despot.  The  commis- 
sioners, after  consultation,  refused  to  go  on  shore,  and  declared  to  the 
captain  of  the  port  and  the  Swedish  consul,  who  were  authorized  to  act 
for  the  Dey,  that  negotiations  must  be  carried  on  on  board  the  Guerriere. 
They  also  presented  the  draft  of  a  treaty,  to  which  they  declared  the 
Dey  must  assent,  and  the  stipulations  of  which  would  not  be  essentially 
altered.  In  fine,  they  would  have  his  majesty  understand  that  they  were 
to  dictate  the  terms  of  peace,  and  not  he.  This  was  high  ground  to 
take  in  treating  with  these  states;  but  it  could  be,  and  was,  maintained. 

The  captain  of  the  port  now  desired  that  at  least  hostilities  should  cease 
while  negotiations  were  going  on.  To  this  request  Decatur  promptly 
replied,  "Not  a  minute;  if  your  squadron  appears  in  sight  before  the 
treaty  is  actually  signed  by  the  Dey,  and  sent  oflf  with  the  American 
prisoners,  ours  will  capture  it.^* 

After  further^ discussion,  and  some  slight  alterations  in  the  terms,  the 
agents  of  the  I?ey  carried  the  treaty  on  shore  to  obtain  his  consent  and 
signature.  Tn  the  mean  time,  a  coi'sair  hove  in  sight,  coming  in  toward  the 
harbor,  close  under  the  shore.  True  to  his  word,  that  hostilities  should 
not  cease  until  the  treaty  was  assented  to,  Decatur  made  signal  for  the 
squadron  to  chase.  This  movement  of  the  fleet  hastened  matters  on 
shore,  for  soon  the  boat,  with  £  white  flag,  was  seen  coming  off.  It  had 
been  agreed  that  this  should  be  the  signal  that  the  treaty  was  really 
signed.  When  discovered,  therefore,  making  all  haste  toward  the  Guer- 
riere, Decatur  felt  obliged  to  order  the  chase  to  be  relinquished. 

This  treaty  secured  for  tht  Americans  advantages,  in  some  points,  over 
all  other  nations,  and  in  all  respects  placed  them  on  a  footing  with  the 
most  favored.  Its  principal  articles  provided,  that  no  more  tribute  should 
be  paid ;  that  no  Americans  should  be  enslaved ;  that  all  American  vessels 
should  be  treated  hospitably,  and  their  wants  relieved  in  Algerine  ports; 
that  the  neutrality  of  the  Algerine  ports  should  be  maintained  in  case 
of  war ;  and  that,  generally,  the  Regency  should  subject  itself  to  the  recog- 
nized law  of  nations.  The  captives  held  at  the  time  were  also  given 
up,  and  sent  on  board  the  flag-ship. 

The  prizes,  which  Decatur  had  made,  were  given  back  to  the  Dey,  at 
his  most  urgent  request,  as  it  was  found  that  they  required  considerable 
repairs  in  order  to  be  sent  home,  and  especially  because  it  was  urged  that 
such  restoration  of  the  vessels  would  go  far  toward  reconciling  the  people 
to  a  treaty,  which  withdrew  so  many  of  their  long-allowed  privileges. 
The  Dey  was  but  a  late  usurper,  and  sat  quite  uneasily  on  his  throne.  It 
was  policy  for  the  United  States  to  strengthen  his  position  with  his  people, 
as  this  would  be  more  likely  to  insure  the  observance  of  an  obnoxious 
treaty.  A  little  of  the  secret  history  of  this  despotic  court  is  revealed 
in  the  remark  of  the  Dey's  prime  minister  to  the  British  consul,  while 
this  work  of  justice  was  going  on, — "You  told  us  that  the  Americans 
would  be  swept  from  the  seas  in  six  months  by  your  navy,  and  now  they 
make  war  upon  us  with  some  of  your  own  vessels,  which  they  have  taken 
from  you ! "  - 


[1816. 

fairs.    Such 
rer  to  obtain 
;ht  but  sheer 
rhe  commis- 
ilared  to  the 
orized  to  act 
he  Guerriere. 
declared  the 
be  essentially 
lat  they  were 
fh  ground  to 
3,  maintained. 
s  should  cease 
itur  promptly 
ht  before  the 
the  American 

the  terms,  the 
is  consent  and 
5  in  toward  the 
stilities  should 
signal  for  the 
led  matters  on 
jg  oflf.  It  had 
•eaty  was  really 
ivard  the  Guer- 
lished. 

me  points,  over 
>oting  with  the 
e  tribute  should 
.merican  vessels 
Algerine  ports; 
ntained  incase 
elf  to  the  recog- 
vere  also  given 

t  to  the  Dey,  at 
red  considerable 
was  urged  that 
iling  the  people 
)wed  privileges. 
I  his  throne.    It 
with  his  people, 
of  an  obnoxious 
ourt  is  revealed 
ish  consul,  while 
the  Americans 
y,  and  now  they 
they  have  taken 


1815.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


la 


Thus,  by  decision  and  firmness,  justified  by  the  advantages  gained  and 
at  command,  Decatur,  in  the  space  of  twenty-four  bom's  from  his  arrival, 
had  in  his  hands  a  treaty  such  as  had  never  been  obtained  from  any  of  the 
Barbary  powers  by  any  of  the  great  nations  of  Europe.  This  had  been 
accomplished  in  forty  days  from  the  time  of  his  departure  from  New 
York.  In  the  close  of  tlieir  dispatch  to  the  government,  transmitting  the 
treaty,  Decatur  and  Shaler  say, — "  As  this  treaty  appeai-s  to  us  to  secure 
every  interest  within  the  contemplation  of  the  government,  and  as  it  really 
places  the  United  States  on  higher  grounds  than  any  other  nation,  we 
have  no  hesitation,  on  our  part,  in  fulfilling  sach  of  its  provisions  as  are 
within  our  power,  in  the  firm  belief  that  it  will  receive  the  ratification  of 
the  President  and  Senate." 

Decatur  deemed  it  advisable  to  send  home  one  of  his  vessels  with  the 
treaty,  and  an  account  of  his  cruise  thus  far.  He  selected  the  brig 
Epervier  for  this  service,  and  gave  the  command  of  her  to  John  Teinpler 
Shubrick,  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  Guerriere.  Captain  Lewis  was  desir- 
ous of  returning  home,  and  obtained  leave.  This  left  a  vacancy  in  Decatur's 
own  shin,  to  fill  which  he  transferred  Captain  Downes  from  the  Epervier. 
The  latter  vessel  sailed  immediately  on  these  changes,  and  the  termina- 
tion of  bar  voyage  is,  up  to  the  present  time,  wrapt  in  mystery.  She 
passed  Gibraltar  about  the  12th  of  July.  A  brig,  resembling  her,  was 
seen  by  a  British  West-India  fleet,  during  a  very  heavy  gale,  and  in  a 
position  where  she  might  have  been ;  but  no  distinct  information  has  ever 
been  gained  respecting  her.  In  her  were  lost,  Captain  Lewis,  Lieutenant 
Neale,  Lieut.  Yamall,  Lieut.  Drury,  and  other  officers,  and  also  the  cap- 
tives who  had  been  just  rescued  from  Algerine  servitude,  and  were 
embracing  this  early  opportunity  to  return  home.  Lieut.  Sh^ibrick's 
appointment  to  this  command  was  ao  evidence  of  Decatur's  high  appre- 
ciation of  his  character  as  an  officer.  He  had  served  n^ucb  under  Decatur, 
having  now  been  steadily  with  him  on  board  the  United  States,  the 
President  during  the  cruise  in  which  she  was  taken  by  the  British,  and 
the  Guerriere  during  the  present  cruise.  With  him  an  untimely  end 
terminated  a  highly  honorable  career.  *     * 

With  the  prestige  of  this  complete  and  rapid  success  Decatur  now 
proceeded  to  visit  the  other  Barbary  states,  in  order  to  apply  the  same 
ertectual  remedy  to  certain  evils  and  wrongs,  which  had  arisen  in  their 
relations  to  Americans.  He  appeared  in  the  Bay  of  Tunis  on  the  26th 
of  July.  Here  the  American  consul,  M.  M.  Noah,  Esq.,  laid  before  him 
an  account  of  certain  wrongs,  and  requested  his  interposition  for  their 
redress.  It  appears  that  during  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  an  American 
armed  brig,  the  Abellino,  had  captured  an  English  merchant  brig  and 
schooner,  which  she  carried  as  prizes  into  the  neutral  port  of  Tunis.  While 
they  were  lying  in  this  port,  and  under  the  pi-otection  of  the  cannon  of 
the  Bey  of  Tunis,  the  English  brig  of  war  Lyra  ran  in,  cut  them  out, 
and  carried  them  to  Malta,  thus  boldly  violating  the  neutrality  of  the 
port.  The  Bey  took  no  measures  to  resist  this  aggression,  but  quietly 
suffered  it,  undoubtedly  receiving  in  some  form  an  adequate  remuneration 
for  his  indifterence  to  his  own  rights,  and  to  the  insult  oftered  to  his  own 
independence.  The  influence  of  British  agents  near. his  person  was  felt 
here  also,  as  well  as  at  Algiers. 


\) 


14 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1816. 


I 


I 


I    I 


\l 


When  the  facts  were  properly  set  forth  "and  established,  Decatur  de- 
cided upon  his  course  with  characteristic  promptness.     He  sent  a  com- 
munication to  the  Bey,  by  the  hands  of  the  consul,  stating  the  facts  as 
they  had  been  recited  to  him,  and  demanding  full  indemnity  within  the 
space  of  twelve  hours,  under  penalty  of  a  declaration  of  war  and  an 
immediate  attack.    Mr.  Noah  landed  and  was  admitted  to  an  audience. 
His  interview  with  the  Bey  he  thus  relates — " '  Tell  your  Admiral  to  come 
and  see  me,'  said  the  Bey.    •  He  declines  coming,  your  Highness,  until 
these  disputes  are  settled,  which  are  best  done  on  board  ship.'     'But 
this  is  not  treating  me  with  becoming  dignity.    Hamuda  Pacha,  of  blessed 
memory,  commanded  them  to  land,  and  wait  at  the  palace,  until  he  was 
pleased  to  receive  them.'     'Very  likely,  your  Highness,  but  that  was 
twenty  years  ago.'     After  a  pause,  the  Bey  exclaimed,  'J  know  this 
Admiral ;  he  is  the  same  one  who,  in  the  war  with  Sida  Yusef  of  Trablis, 
burnt  the  frigate.'     '  The  same.'     '  Hum !  why  do  they  send  wild  young 
men  to  treat  for  peace  with  old  powers  ?     Then  you  Americans  do  not 
speak  the  truth.     You  went  to  war  with  England,  a  nation  with  a  great 
fleet,  and  said  you  took  their  frigates  in  equal  fight.     Honest  people 
always  speak  truth.'     '  Well,  Sir,  that  was  true.    Do  you  see  that  tall 
ship  in  the  bay,  with  a  blue  flag,  the  Guerriere,  taken  from  the  British  ? 
That  one  near  the  small  island,  the  Macedonian,  was  also  captured,  by 
Decatur,  on  equal  terms.    The  sloop  near  Cape  Carthage,  the  Peacock, 
was  also  taken  in  battle.'     The  Bey  laid  down  the  telescope,  reposed  on 
his  cushions,  and  with  a  small  tortoise-shell  comb,  set  with  diamonds, 
combed  his  beard.     A  small  vessel  got  under  way  and  came  near  tho 
batteries ;  a  pinnace,  with  a  few  men,  rowed  toward  the  harbor,  and  one 
pereon,  dressed  in  the  garb  of  a  sailor,  was  taking  soundings,     It  was 
Decatur." 

After  this  conversation  and  due  meditation,  the  Bey  very  wisely  an- 
nounced his  willingness  to  repay  the  owners  the  value  of  the  retaken 
vessels  and  their  cargoes.  Decatur  then  landed,  and  paid  his  respects  to 
the  B§y.  The  money  claimed,  forty-six  thousand  dollars,  was  paid  in  his 
presence  to  the  agent  of  the  owners.  This  accomplished,  Decatur,  on  the 
6th  of  August,* showed  his  squadron  before,  the  stern  old  batteries  of 
Tripoli,  with  the  features  of  which  he  was  so  perfectly  familiar.  With 
commendable  pride  might  he  survey  this  field,  whereon  had  been  gained 
the  early  brightness  of  his  renown.  That  i-eputation  was  now  of  service 
to  his  country  —  it  aided  the  display  of  physical  force.  Here  there  was 
a  similar  transaction  to  that  at  Tunis  to  be  attended  to.  The  Abellino  had 
also  taken  two  prizes  into  this  port,  under  the  presumption  of  an  eflicient 
neutrality.  But  the  British  brig  Paulina,  acting  on  either  the  weakness 
or  the  willingness  of  the  Bashaw,  violated  his  neutral  rights,  and  retook 
the  prizes  from  under  his  own  eyes. 

The  usual  demand  having  been  made,  the  Bashaw  at  first  quite  boldly 
refused  to  comply  with  it.  He  even  took  steps  for  a  forcible  resistance, 
drawing  out  his  cavalry  upon  the  shore  and  manning  his  batteries.  All 
this  did  not  move  Decatur  from  his  purpose,  but  merely  led  him  to  begin 
his  disposition  of  forces  for  a  regular  attack.  The  memories  of  the  past 
did  not  serve  to  stimulate  the  courage  of  the  Bashaw,  especially  the  fact 
that  Decatur  was  the  commander  of  the  fleet  now  assuming  a  hostile 


Vf 


[1816. 

1,  Decatur  de- 
B  sent  a  coin- 
ig  tbe  facta  as 
lity  within  the 
f  war  and  an 
,0  an  audience, 
imiral  to  come 
Highness,  until 
d  ship.'     'But 
acha,  of  blessed 
36,  until  he  was 
(,  but  that  was 

'T  know  this 
rusefofTrablis, 
end  wild  young 
nericans  do  not 
ion  with  a  great 

Honest  people 
yon  see  that  tall 
torn  the  British? 
ilso  captured,  by 
ge,  the  Peacock, 
icope,  reposed  on 

with  diamonds, 
i  came  near  the 
b  harbor,  and  one 
indings.    It  was 

very  wisely  an- 
le  of  the  retaken 
«d  his  respects  to 
rs,  was  paid  in  his 
1,  Decatur,  on  the 

old  batteries  of 
y  familiar.  With 
I  had  been  gained 
vas  now  of  service 
Here  there  was 

The  Abellino  had 

tion  of  an  efticient 
ither  the  weakness 

rights,  and  retook 

,t  first  quite  boldly 
forcible  resistance, 
his  batteries.  AU 
y  led  him  to  begin 
emories  of  the  past 
,  especially  the  fact 
assuming  a  hostile 


1815.J 


?fAVAL  HISTORY. 


15 


attitude  in  that  same  bay  which  had  been  illuminated  by  the  lurid  flames 
of  the  burning  Philadelphia,  and  where  even  Moslem  fanaticism  had 
proved  no  match  for  American  valor.  So  the  Bashaw  concluded  to  allow 
bis  valor  to  practice  the  lessons  of  his  discretion,  and  to  yield  gracefullj 
while  the  opportunity  for  such  a  demeanor  continued.  He  paid  the  claim 
of  twenty  -five  thousand  dollars,  and  gave  assurances  of  better  conduct 
for  the  future.  Decatur  also  had  the  pleasure  of  restoring  to  liberty  tea 
captives,  two  of  whom  were  Danish  boys,  and  the  rest  a  Sicilian  family. 

It  was  now  about  seventy  days  since  the  squadron  left  New  York,  and 
the  objects  of  the  cruise  had  been  fully  accomplished  in  this  short  space 
of  time.  The  actual  fighting  had  been  very  little,  and  the  loss  on  our 
part  trifling.  These  results  are  to  be  ascribed  in  part  to  the  efficiency 
and  decision  of  Decatur;  yet  the  best  qualities  in  a  commander  would 
have  been  of  little  avail  without  an  adequate  naval  force  to  sustain  him. 
The  mere  display  of  physical  power  is  ever  more  conclusive,  beyond  all 
comparison,  with  semi-civilized  states,  than  all  moral  considerations  and 
unsupported  i-easonings  on  justice. 

It  is  honorable  to  the  United  States  that  they  first  placed  an  effectual 
restraint  upon  the  intolerable  encroachments  of  these  faithless  powers; 
that  they  compelled  the  recognition  of  their  maritime  rights  without  tbe 
continuance  of  tribute;  and  insisted,  with  the  needful  firmness,  upon  the 
careful  observance  of  treaties.  The  example  thus  given  was  soon  followed 
by  England  and  other  European  powers,  until  these  small  states,  once 
regarded  with  so  much  terror,  and  indulged  in  their  haughty  address 
toward  their  superiors  in  every  element  of  national  honor  and  greatness, 
have  declined  into  their  proper  insignificance. 

The  squadron  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Bainbridge,  which 
followed  the  one  under  Decatur,  arrived  in  the  MediteiTanean  in  the  early 
part  of  August.  It  consisted  of  the  Independence  74,  which  had  been 
just  finished  at  Boston  under  the  superintendence  of  Bainbridge ;  the 
frigate  Congress;  the  sloop  of  war  Erie;  the  brig  Chippewa;  and  the 
schooner  Lynx.  Another  detachment,  composed  of  the  frigate  United 
States,  the  brigs  Boxer,  Saranac,  Firefly,  and  Enterprise,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Commodore  John  Shaw,  joined  the  main  squadron  shortly  after. 
On  his  aiTival  at  Gibraltar,  Bainbridge  of  course  learned  that  his  energetic 
predecessor  had  accomplished  all  the  objects  of  the  expedition.  He 
therefore  proceeded,  in  accordance  with  his  instructions,  to  exhibit  his 
force  off  Algiers,  Tunis,  and  Tripoli,  that  he  might  furnish  the  most  con- 
vincing demonstration  of  the  ability  and  readiness  of  the  United  States 
to  protect  their  commerce  and  their  agents.  Interested  persons  had 
induced  the  belief  among  these  ignorant  people,  that  the  United  States 
were  bound  by  treaty  with  Great  Britain,  not  to  build  any  seventy-four 
gun  ships.  The  first  vessel  of  this  class  in  our  navy,  indeed,  which  was 
ever  taken  to  sea,  was  the  Independence,  Bainbridge's  flag-ship  on  this 
cruise.  Her  presence  in  these  watei-s,  therefore,  was  of  consequence,  as 
it  dissipated  this  false  belief;  and  this  large  fleet,  following  so  soon  in  the 
wake  of  Decatur's,  impressed  these  governments  and  their  people  with  the 
power  and  resources  of  the  United  States,  and  contributed  decidedly  to 
the  maintenance  of  peace,  and  the  strict  observance  of  treaties.  Since 
this  active  and  successful  expedition,  our  relations  with  the  Barbary  powers 


\  ^ 


16 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1816. 


,i 

■I 

I 

I!  * 

I 


.  ,: 


have,  with  slight  exceptions,  been  highly  satisfactory.  It  was  necessary, 
however,  for  several  of  the  immediately  subsequent  years,  to  maintain  an 
efficient  force  in  these  waters,  and  by  regular  visits  to  their  ports,  to 
remind  these  new  friends  that  they  were  under  a  close  surveillance. 

On  leaving  Tripoli,  Decatur  sailed  across  to  Sicily,  where  he  landed 
the  family  he  had  rescued  from  captivity,  and  thence  kept  along  the 
coast  of  Italy  to  Naples.  All  the  rest  of  the  squadron  were  directed  to 
join  Bainbridge,  while  he  followed,  more  at  his  leisure,  with  the  Guerriere. 
During  the  voyage  from  Italy  to  Spain,  he  fell  in  with  the  remainder  of 
the  Algerine  deet,  consisting  of  four  frigates  and  three  sloops,  which  had 
escaped  him  during  the  war.  Thinking  that  they  might  be  tempted  to 
retaliate,  in  spit«  of  the  treaty,  now  that  they  found  him  alone,  he  ordered 
his  ship  cleared  for  action,  and  the  men  beat  to  quarters.  Thus  prepared, 
he  stood  steadily  on,  and  passed  the  whole  fleet  unmolested.  As  he 
passed  the  admiral's  ship,  he  was  hailed  with  the  usual  question,  **  Where 
are  you  bound  t "  He  himself  took  the  trumpet,  and  discarding  nautical 
etiquette  with  his  old  foes  and  even  yet  uncertain  friends,  quite  in  defiance 
answered,  "  Where  I  please ! " 

In  October,  the  entire  naval  force  was  assembled  under  Commodore 
Bainbridge  at  Gibraltar.  It  formed  the  largest  fleet  that  had  ever  been 
collected  under  the  American  flag,  comprising  one  two-decked  ship,  the 
Independence,  five  frigates,  the  Guerriere,  Macedonian,  Constellation, 
Congress,  and  United  States,  two  sloops  of  war,  seven  brigs,  and  three 
schooners  —  in  all  eighteen  sail.  This  was  rather  an  unexpected  sight 
beneath  the  rock  of  Gibraltar,  but  a  few  months  after  the  close  of  the 
English  war. 

The  purpose,  for  which  this  large  force  had  been  sent  out,  having  been 
effected,  it  became  necessary  for  the  commander  to  make  a  new  disposition 
of  it.  Decatur  took  the  Guerriere  home,  arriving  at  New  York  on  the 
1 2th  of  November.  Bainbridge  also  sailed  for  home,  taking  with  him 
his  own  ship,  two  frigates,  and  all  the  brigs  and  schooners.  Commodore 
Shaw  remained  in  command  of  the  Mediterranean  squadron,  composed 
of  the  frigates  United  States  44,  the  Constellation  38,  and  the  sloops 
Ontario  and  Erie,  each  18.  In  a  short  time  also,  Captain  O.  H.  Perry, 
in  the  Java  44,  joined  the  latter  squadron.  Bainbridge  brought  his 
squadron  safely  into  Newport  on  the  15th  of  November.  In  his  letter 
of  instructions  to  Com.  Shaw,  Cora.  Bainbridge  says:  "The  object  of 
leaving  this  force  is  to  watch  the  conduct  of  the  Barbary  powers,  partic- 
ularly that  of  Algiers,  to  guard  against,  as  far  as  the  force  under  your 
command  can  do,  any  depredations  they  may  be  disposed  to  commit, 
and  to  give  protection  to  the  commerce  of  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States."  Com.  Shaw  executed  these  duties  with  fidelity,  until  the  next 
year,  when  Com.  Chauncey,  in  the  Washington  74,  was  sent  out  to 
relieve  him. 

The  necessity  of  a  more  thorough  organization  of  the  Navy  Depart- 
ment had  long  been  felt,  and  it  was  especially  desirable  that  its  executive 
administration  should  be  in  the  charge  of  individuals,  whose  professional 
experience  qualified  them  for  its  practical  duties.  To  meet  this  necessity. 
Congress,  in  1816,  authorized  the  formation  of  a  board  of  navy  com- 
missioners.   This  board  was  placed  under  the  superintendence  of  the 


1816-20.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


17 


secretary  of  the  navy,  and  was  charged  with  all  the  ministerial  duties  of 
the  department,  relating  to  the  procuring  of  supplies  and  stores,  the 
collection  of  materials,  the  construction,  armament,  and  employment  of 
all  the  vessels.  Commodores  Bodgers,  Hull  and  Porter  were  appointed 
the  first  commissioners. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  an  arrangement  was 
effected  between  that  country  and  the  United  States,  by  which  the  naval 
forces  of  both,  on  the  lakes,  were  reduced  to  an  equality.  It  was  agreed 
that  neither  nation  should  maintain  more  than  one  vessel  of  war  on  Lake 
Ontario  or  Lake  Champlain,  or  more  than  two  vessels  on  Lake  Erie  or 
any  of  the  upper  lakes,  and  that  each  of  these  vessels  should  carry  but 
one  gun. 

There  was  also,  about  this  time,  a  very  strong  disposition  manifested, 
both  in  and  out  of  Congress,  to  effect  a  still  greater  reduction  of  the 
navy,  to  lay  most  of  the  vessels  up,  to  place  the  officers  on  half-pay,  and 
to  dismiss  some  of  the  officers  of  each  grade.  Some  steps  were  taken 
toward  carrying  out  this  destructive  plan,  but  the  influence  of  more 
judicious  friends  of  the  navy  prevailed,  and  the  general  scheme  was 
abandoned.  On  the  other  hand,  the  character  which  had  been  so  nobly 
won  by  this  arm  of  the  national  service  in  the  late  war  with  England, 
had  established  the  conviction,  with  the  great  mass  of  the  nation,  of  the 
necessity  of  its  permanent  existence  as  a  part  of  the  means  of  government, 
especially  so  in  the  relations  of  government  to  foreign  states.  A  system 
was  consequently  framed  for  the  improvement,  and  the  gradual  increase 
of  the  navy,  which  system  has  been  pursued,  since  that  time,  with  such 
emendations  as  enlarged  experience  and  progressive  science  have  sug- 
gested. The  plan  for  this  gradual  increase,  in  connection  with  a  special 
act  of  the  session  of  1819-20,  contemplated  the  formation  of  a  force  of 
twelve  line-of-battle  ships,  fourteen  first-class  frigates,  three  second-class 
frigates,  six  sloops,  and  a  proper  proportion  of  smaller  vessels.  The 
details  of  this  plan  have  been  carried  out,  in  a  good  degree,  respecting 
the  larger  vessels,  while  subsequent  enactments  have  added  largely  to 
the  number  of  the  sloops,  and  somewhat  to  that  of  the  brigs  and 
schooners. 

In  a  time  of  prolonged  peace,  the  services  of  the  national  vessels  must 
be  mainly  directed  toward  the  protection  of  commerce  in  the  various  seas 
which  invite  it.  With  but  few  exceptions,  this  has  been  the  occupation 
of  our  navy  since  the  close  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain,  and  the  settle- 
ment of  our  difficulties  with  the  Barbary  powers.  For  some  years  after 
the  period  mentioned,  it  was  necessary  to  maintain  a  careful  watch  over 
the  interests  of  commerce  in  the  Mediterranean,  since  nothing  but  the 
knowledge  of  the  presence  of  a  strong  force  could  restrain  the  predatory 
disposition  of  the. inhabitants  of  the  northern  coast  of  Africa ;  and  during 
the  war  between  the  Turks  and  the  Greeks,  this  disposition  did  break 
forth  into  overt  acts  against  the  vessels  of  some  nations.  Several  ship^ 
have  generally  cruised  along  our  own  coast,  and  in  emergencies  a  squadron 
of  some  size  has  been  retained  on  this  duty.  For  a  few  years  a  consid- 
erable force  was  engaged  in  the  West  Indies,  in  an  exterminating  war 
upon  bands  of  pirates,  who  abounded  there ;  some  account  of  which  will 
be  hereafter  given.    From  about  1820,  some  vessels  have  been  stationed 


18 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1816-20. 


l!^ 


I 


alonff  the  western  coast  of  Africa,  to  cooperate  with  the  cruisers  of 
England  in  the  attempt  to  suppress  the  slave-trade.  The  Pacific  has 
also  been  a  regular  cruising  ground  for  a  portion  of  the  national  marine, 
where,  especially  during  the  revolutions  of  the  South  American  States, 
it  has  rendered  essential  service  in  the  way  of  protecting  our  commercial 
rights.  In  1816,  it  was  determined  to  send  a  ship  of  war  to  the  Pacific, 
to  take  formal  possession  of  the  country  about  the  Columbia  river,  to 
collect  information  that  might  be  useful  to  commercial  operations,  and  to 
give  protection  to  those  which  had  already  been  undertaken  there  by  our 
citizens.  The  frigate  Congress,  Captain  Morris,  was  directed  to  be  pre- 
pared for  this  service,  in  August,  1816.  When  nearly  ready  for  sea,  her 
destination  was  changed  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  to  protect  our  commerce 
against  any  improper  interference  by  the  cruisers  of  the  revolutionary 
governments  bordering  on  the  gulf,  and  on  the  Caribbean  sea. 

The  Ontario  sloop  of  war,  Captain  Biddle,  having  landed  agents  of  the 
government  at  Rio  de  Janeiro,  proceeded  to  the  Pacific.  After  touching 
at  the  ports  of  Valparaiso  and  Lima,  where  Captain  Biddle  rendered 
essential  services  to  American  vessels  and  citizens,  and  exemplified  in  a 
striking  manner  the  importance  of  a  naval  force  in  foreign  ports,  be  pro- 
ceeded to  Columbia  river,  and,  in  August,  1818,  took  formal  possession 
of  the  country  in  the  name  and  in  behalf  of  the  United  States. 

The  coast  of  Brazil,  also,  has  for  many  years  been  deemed  a  regular 
station.  In  1819,  Coipmodore  Perry  was  ordered  to  the  command  of 
the  squadron  on  this  station,  being  also  intrusted  with  the  discharge  of 
certain  delicate  diplomatic  duties.  The  Constellation  was  intended  for 
his  flag-ship,  but  not  being  ready  for  sea,  and  the  object  of  his  ap- 
pointment requiring  dispatch,  he  sailed  in  the  sloop  of  war  John  Adams. 
Arrived  off  the  mouth  of  the  Orinoco,  he  transferred  his  pennant  to  the 
schooner  Nonsuch,  and  ascended  the  river  to  Angostura,  where  he  was 
detained  several  days  in  executing  the  duties  of  bis  mission.  This  was 
in  midsummer,  and  during  the  most  sickly  part  of  the  season.  He 
conti-acted  the  yellow  fever,  and  died  as  the  schooner  was  approaching 
his  own  ship,  on  the  23d  of  August;  he  being  just  thirty-four  years  of 
age.  He  was  appointed  a  midshipman  in  April,  1799.  His  remains 
were  interred  at  Port  Spain,  but  were  afterward  brought  home  in  a  ship 
of  war,  a  >d  deposited  in  the  soil  of  his  native  state,  Rhode  Island. 
Upon  the  receipt  of  the  news  of  the  death  of  Com.  Perry,  Com.  Morris 
was  directed  to  proceed  with  the  Constellation  and  John  Adams  to  the 
Rio  de  la  Plata,  and  perform  the  duties  connected  with  the  government 
of  Buenos  Ayres,  which  had  been  originally  assigned  to  the  former 
officer;  having  done  which,  he  returned  to  the  United  States  in  May,  1820. 

But  a  few  months  after  the  death  of  Perry,  the  navy  experienced 
another  severe  loss,  the  attending  circumstances  of  which  were  so  melan- 
choly, as  to  affect  the  entire  nation  with  painful  emotions.  The  event, 
which  thus  awakened  general  regret  and  grief,  was  the  death  of  Com. 
Stephen  Decatur,  occasioned  by  a  wound  received  in  a  duel  with  Com. 
James  Barron.  It  will  be  remembered  that  Com.  Barron  had  been 
suspended  from  the  service  for  five  years,  in  consequence  of  his  conduct 
in  connection  with  the  attack  of  the  Leopard  on  the  Chesapeake  in  1807. 
During  his  suspension  he  engaged  in  mercantile  business,  and  i-emaioed 


[1816-20. 

e  cruisers  of 
e  Pacific  has 
tional  roarina, 
erican  States, 
IT  commercial 
to  the  Pacific, 
mbia  river,  to 
rations,  and  to 
n  there  by  our 
ted  to  be  pre- 
dy  for  sea,  her 
our  commerce 
revolutiooary 
sea. 

i  agents  of  the 
After  touching 
iddle  rendered 
lemplified  in  a 
1  ports,  he  pro- 
■mal  possesaiou 
States. 

•med  a  regular 
le  command  of 
be  discharge  of 
as  intended  for 
•ject  of  his  ap- 
»r  John  Adams, 
pennant  to  the 
,  where  he  was 
sion.    This  was 
he  season.    He 
as  approaching 
ty-four  years  of 
His  remains 
home  in  a  ship 
Rhode  Island, 
ry.  Com.  Morris 
1  Adams  to  the 
the  government 
1  to  the  former 
esin  May,  1820. 
avy  experienced 
\  were  so  melan- 
)ii9.    The  event, 
Q  death  of  Com. 
duel  with  Com. 
arron  had  been 
se  of  his  conduct 
apeake  in  1807. 
Bs,  and  remained 


1820.J 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


19 


away  from  his  country  throughout  the  war  with  Great  Britain.     On  his 
return,  and  some  time  after  the  close  of  the  war,  he  sought  a  command 
according  to  his  rank  in  the  navy.     Com.  Decatur  opposed  his  application, 
and  expressed  his  opinion  very  freely  respecting  Barron's  absence  during 
the  war,  and  his  subsequent  conduct.    Reports,  as  usual  in  such  a  case, 
incorrectly  representing  Decatur's  language  and  feelings,  were  conveyed 
to  Banron's  ears,  and  led  to  a  correspondence  between  them,  which  was 
opened  by  Barron  in  June,  1819,  and  continued  at  intervals  for  several 
months,  and  up  to  the  time  of  their  hostile  meeting.     The  course  of  this 
correspondence  evinced  increased  exasperation  of  feeling  on  both  sides; 
Decatur  still  reiterating  his  opinion,  that  Barron  had  rendered  himself 
unworthy  of  his  station  in  the  navy,  and  of  the  privilege  of  honorable 
service;  and  Barron,  while  defending  himself  against  Decatur's  severe 
charges,  refusing  to  explain  to  his  antagonist  the  real  cause  of  his  remain- 
ing abroad,  while  his  country  was  engaged  in  a  war  to  so  great  an  extent 
maritime  in  its  character.     It  afterward  appeared  that  pecuniary  embar» 
rassment  was  the  real  reason  of  Barron's  singular  conduct     Had  this 
been  known,  the  generous  Decatur  would  have  been  the  last  person  to 
taunt  a  fellow-officer,  who  had  already  endured  so  much  as  Barron  had. 
The  correspondence,  however,  led  to  a  challenge  from  Barron  to  Decatur; 
both  yielding  to  the  bloody  and  barbarous  maxims  of  a  most  fallacious 
code  of  honor,  which  they  admitted  was  repulsive  to  their  moral  senti- 
ments and  better  feelings.     Com.  Elliot  was  selected  by  Barron  as  his 
second,  and  Com.  Bainbridge  appeared  on  behalf  of  Decatur.    The 
arrangements  having  been  very  quietly  made,  the  parties  met  early  on 
the  morning  of  the  22d  of  March,  1820,  between  Washington  and 
Bladensburg,  near  the  latter  place.    When  they  had  taken  their  positions, . 
and  were  ready  to  fire,  Barron  said  to  Decatur,  "  I  hope,  on  meeting  in 
another  world,  we  will  be  better  friends;"  and  Decatur  replied,  "I  have 
never  been  your  enemy,  sir."     Com.  Bainbridge  gave  the  word  to  fire, 
and  both  pistols  went  ofi'  at  the  same  instant.     The  two  antagonists  fell, 
Barron  being  severely  wounded  in  the  hip,  and  Decatur  having  received 
a  mortal  wound  in  the  abdomen.     As  they  lay  upon  the  ground,  Decatur 
exclaimed,  "I  am  mortally  wounded,  at  least  1  believe  so,  and  wish  I  had 
fallen  in  defence  of  my  country."     Barron,  also  considering  his  wound 
mortal,  remarked  that  he  "  forgave  his  enemy  from  the  bottom  of  his 
heart."    Decatur  was  then  removed  to  his  residence  in  Washington,  and 
lingered  in  great  agony  until  half-past  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  when 
he  expired.     He  was  but  forty-one  years  of  age,  and  had  spent  twenty- 
two  years  of  his  life  in  the  naval  service,  his  warrant  as  a  midshipman 
bearing  the  data  of  April  30th,  1798.    Without  detracting  from  the 
high  merit  of  other  officers,  there  were  certain  very  favorable  circum- 
stances in  the  history  of  Perry  and  Decatur,  which  rendered  them 
peculiar  favorites  with  the  entire  nation ;  and  tlwir  death,  occurring  in 
the  very  prime  of  their  days,  and  with  attending  incidents  of  a  very 
aggravating  character,  was  felt  with  universal  and  keen  regret  and  sorrow.. 


20 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


^0. 


.  ■■■  I 


■H 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mexican  and  South  American  RevolutionN— Paper  blookadet—nrartca  In  tha  Went  Indies— 
VeMels  ordered  there— Capture*  by  Lieutenantu  Kearney  niiil  KamoK"  —Com.  Hiddle  sent 

I  with  an  increased  force— Captures  by  Lieut.  Ur«<Ki)ry— l)t>atti  of  I.l«ut.  Allen— Alligator 
wrecked— Captures  by  Capt  Cassin— Dlfflculty  of  Bui)pri>»iilnK  plrnt)li«»— Oon>,  I»orter  takes  the 
command— Atfair  at  St.  John's— Arrangement  of  Com.  IHirter'a  ftiri'o— Various  captures  by 
Captain  Cassin,  Lieuts.  Stribling,  Newell,  Watsun,  KoHrnity,  Hklniior  and  Paino— Atlikir  at 
Foxardo  and  Porter's  recall— Com.  Warrinitton  supnmcilrs  hint— tiOM  of  the  Ferret— Cap- 
tures by  Lieuts.  Sloat  and  McKeover— Suppression  uf  tltu  i^stoiu  of  ptrauy. 

The  example  of  the  North  American  coIonioR,  in  their  successful 
struggle  for  independence  of  English  rule,  in  time  oxtotided  its  influence 
to  the  colonies  of  Spain.  A  relaxation  in  tho  vigor  of  her  tyranny,  com- 
pelled by  the  dread  of  this  example,  did  not  liindor  the  spi-ead  of  free 
ideas  throughout  these  distant  dependencies.  When  tho  contest  came, 
it  was  marked  by  an  eneigy  and  a  determination  on  tho  part  of  the  col- 
onies, which  finally  resulted  in  wresting  from  tho  crown  of  Spain  her 
most  extensive  and  valuable  possessions  on  this  continent.  This  series  of 
levolutions  necessarily  produced  a  serious  interf«n>nco  with  the  regular 
<;ourse  of  commerce;  and  this  consequence  tho  United  States  quickly  and 
deeply  felt.  The  hindrance  to  commercial  intorcoui'so  arose  from  two 
different  sources  —  the  establishment  of  blockudos  and  tho  ravages  of 
pirates.  The  right  of  belligerents  to  blockade  onch  other's  ports,  our 
government  never  disputed.  But  in  vindication  of  tho  rights  of  neutrals, 
it  maintained  that  the  blockade  should  bo  actual  and  effectual ;  that  an 
adequate  naval  force  should  be  present  to  enforce  it,  and  to  render  it 
hazai'dous  in  a  merchant  ship  to  disregaitl  it.  It  will  be  remembered 
that  our  government  had  been  so  strenuous  i'Ognrding  this  principle,  as 
to  maintain  it  by  force  against  both  France  and  Great  Britain.  Spain, 
unable  to  enforce  a  strict  blockade,  now  sought  to  establish  one  along  an 
extended  line  of  sea-board,  by  mere  proclamation.  This  paper  blockade 
of  course  damaged  our  shipping  interests,  inasmuch  as  vessels  relying 
upon  the  American  doctrine  on  the  subioot,  disn^gardod  a  proclamation 
which  was  not  supported  by  an  actual  ftde<piftte  force.  The  Spanish 
cruisers  and  privateers,  though  unable  to  prevent  this  practice  by  effectu- 
ally guarding  the  proscribed  ports,  wore  able  occasionally  to  capture  an 
American  ship,  which  had  broken  thia  paper  blockade,  and  were  even  in 
the  habit  of  making  captures  on  the  suspicion  of  such  an  intention. 
It  became  necessary,  therefore,  for  the  government  to  order  to  tho  West 
Indies  a  squadron  capable  of  preventing  such  proceedings  against  our 
commerce,  and  of  showing  its  continued  determination  to  resist  the  ap- 
plication of  this  loos^  principle  of  blockade.  The  display,  of  our  naval 
force,  sustaining  the  reasoning  of  our  diplomatic  protests,  was  fully  suc- 
cessful in  accomplishing  the  object  in  view.  Onr  doctrine  was  admitted 
by  the  Spanish  authorities,  and  American  morchuntinen  pursued  their 
coui-se,  without  regarding  imaginary  blockades*. 

But  the  matter  of  piracy  involved  evils  not  so  easily  m.tnaged,  and 
remedied.    The  unsettlo^i   state  of  aftairs,  internal  revolutions,  feeble 


r  ^'♦o. 


1821.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


31 


th«  Went  Tndies— 
-Com.  Blddle  nent 
t,  AUon— AUlKfttor 
>m.  Porter  t»k»8  tho 
I'tirlnus  capture*  by 
id  P\»liici— ArtWr  at 
of  the  Kcrret-Cap- 

thoir  successful 
led  its  influence 
,r  tyranny,  cotn- 
e  spread  of  free 
ho  contest  came, 
I  part  of  the  col- 
m  of  Spain  her 
.    This  series  of 
with  tho  regular 
tates  quickly  and 
I  arose  from  two 
1  tho  ravages  of 
other's  ports,  our 
rights  of  neutrals, 
Bfttictual ;  that  an 
nnd  to  render  it 
I  be  remembered 
f  this  principle,  as 
t  Britain.    Spain, 
l>lish  one  along  an 
lis  paper  blockade 
as  vessels  relying 
3d  a  proclamation 
•CO.    The  Spanish 
practice  by  effectu- 
nally  to  capture  an 
),  and  were  even  m 
such  an  intention. 
order  to  tho  West 
edings  against  our 
on  to  resist  the  ap- 
isplay.  of  our  naval 
itests,  was  fully  sue- 
ctrino  was  admitted 
.men  pursued  their 

.asily  managed,  and 
revolutioiis,  feeble 


governments,  a  low  state  of  morality  in  surrounding  communities,  and 
the  debasing  influence  of  war  —  all  these  characteristics  of  tho  times  and 
regions  conspired  to  foster  a  system  of  piratical  enterprises  in  tlitj  West 
Indies.     It  is  unnecessary  to  describe  the  details  of  this  dark  and  do- 
structive  system.    Vessels  were  plundered,  then  sent  adrift,  burnt,  or  taken 
possession  of,  as  fancy  or  interest  dictated ;  the  oflicers,  crows  and  passen- 
gers were  always  treated  with  indignity  and  violence,  very  frc^iuently 
murdered  in  cold  blood,  and  in  some  instances,  their  bodies  aftor  death 
were  abused  with  disgusting  barbarity,  after  cruelty   had  exhausted 
ingenuity  in  contrivances  of  insupportable  torture.    Indeed,  tho  wor«t 
imaginable  scenes  connected  with  the  idea  of  piracy,  were  realities  in  tho 
career  of  those  lawless  bands.    It  must  not  be  understood  that  ©very 
instance  was  thus  marked  with  every  possible  horror;  but  that  tho  enor- 
mities mentioned  formed  a  fearful  proportion  to  the  ordinary  outrages  of 
these  miscreants.     Some  of  tho  freebooters  seemed  intent  only  on  plun- 
der, and  took  the  stops  necessary  to  their  object  with  quite  commenuablo 
decorum.     Tho  majority  delighted  in  the  opportunity  to  gratify  moro 
bloody  and  cruel  dispositions,  and  when  rapacity  had  been  satisliod,  or 
hindered  in  its  desires,  they  gave  way  to  the  demands  of  fiercer  passions. 
Repeated  reports  of  such  outrages,  committed  on  our  very  borders,  at  a 
time  of  peace,  when  seamen  expected  no  more  than  tho  usual  perils  of 
the  ocean,  soon  awakened  not  only  tho  fears  but  tho  indignation  of  tho 
nation.     Merchant  ships  were  armed  to  some  extent,  and  in  somo  in- 
stances successfully   repelled  the  attacks  of   pirates.      But  this  was 
insufficient.     Government  was  called   upon  to  attbrd   protection,  and 
promptly  responded  to  the  call.    Yet  in  estimating  tho  crodit  due  to 
the  government  and  the  navy,  on  account  of  their  exertions  in  this 
service,  we  must  remember  that  it  required  time  and  experience  to  dis- 
cover the  best  mode  of  operating  against  tho  pirates,  and  that  our  entire 
naval  force  could  not  be  safely  or  wisely  directed  against  this  single  evil. 
This  must  account  for  the  time  which  it  actually  took  finally  and  fully  to 
suppress  these  lawless  aggressions. 

In  the  fall  of  1821,  the  first  accounts  of  piracies  were  received  in  tho 
United  States.  The  administration  immediately  took  measures  to  capture 
and  bring  to  punishment  the  offenders.  The  sloop  of  war  Hornet,  brigs 
Enterprise  and  Spark,  and  schooners  Shark,  Porpoise  and  Grampus,  wiu» 
three  gun-boats,  were  ordered  to  sail  directly  on  this  service. 

On  the  16th  of  October,  1821,  Lieutenant  Kearney,  commanding  the 
Enterprise,  while  cruising  oft'  Cape  Antonio,  Cuba,  discovered  four 
piratical  vessels  in  the  act  of  plundering  three  American  vessels  which 
they  had  just  captured.  They  were  quite  in  shore  in  shoal  water,  whero 
the  bi'ig  could  not  venture.  Five  boats  were,  therefore,  sent  in  pui-suit. 
The  pirates  being  hard  pressed,  set  fire  to  and  burnt  two  schooners.  The 
detachment,  however,  succeeded  in  capturing  two  schooners,  and  one 
sloop,  together  with  some  forty  pirates.  The  brig  then  carried  her  pris- 
oners into  Charleston,  to  be  tried  under  an  act  of  Congress,  passed  in 
1819,  for  the  punishment  of  the  crime  of  piracy. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  tho  Hornet,  Captain  Robert  Honly,  captured 
a  schooner  named  the  Moscow,  which  he  sent  into  Norfolk.  On  the  21bt 
of  December,  Lieut  Kearney  captured  a  schooner  of  about  thirty-six 


li'S 


22 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1822. 


f! 


V: 


tons,  but  the  crew,  consisting  of  twenty- five  men,  escaped.  He  also 
.destroyed  the  rendezvous  of  the  pirates  at  Capo  Antonio. 

On  the  7th  of  January,  1822,  Lieutenant  Kamage,  commanding  the 
schooner  Porpoise,  attacked  and  captured  six  piratical  vessels  on  the  north 
coast  of  Cuba.  He  burnt  five  of  them,  and  manned  the  remaining  one 
for  the  purpose  of  cruising  against  the  pirates,  three  of  whom  were  taken 
prisoners.  He  also  landed  forty  men,  under  Lieut.  Curtis,  who  drove 
the  pirates  to  the  woods  and  broke  up  their  depot.  This  was  accom- 
plifthed  without  loss  on  the  part  of  the  assailants,  while  the  loss  of  the 
enemy  must  have  been  se/ere,  though  it  could  not  be  ascertained. 

On  the  6th  of  March,  Lieut.  Kearney,  of  the  Enterprise,  made  another 
large  ciipture  otf  Cape  Antonio.  It  consisted  of  three  launches  and  four 
barges,  with  their  crews,  numbering  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  men. 
These  were  the  principal  captures  etlected  by  the  first  squadron  sent  out. 

These  successes  of  the  cruisers  gave  but  a  slight  check  to  the  operations 
of  the  freebootei-s.  They  still  conmiitted  their  depredations  to  an  alarm- 
ing extent.  More  efficient  measures  were  consequently  adopted.  Com. 
James  Biddle  was  ordered  to  take  command  of  the  West  India  squadron, 
having  as  his  flag-ship  the  frigate  Macedonian.  An  addition  of  two 
hundred  marines  was  also  made  to  the  force.  The  Macedonian  proceeded 
to  her  station  in  the  month  of  April,  1822.  The  squadron  in  these  seas, 
during  this  year,  consisted  of  the  Macedonian  38 ;  the  frigate  Congress 
30;  sloops  of  war  John  Adams  24,  and  Peacock  18;  brig  Spark  12; 
schooners  Alligator,  Grampus,  Shark  and  Porpoise,  each  carrying  twelve 
guns.  The  Enterprise  was  at  home,  refitting.  The  principal  portion  of 
these  vessels  was  engaged  directly  in  the  suppression  of  piracy,  while  the 
remainder  was  occupied  in  the  general  protection  of  commerce,  and  in 
furnishing  convoy  to  merchantmen.  On  the  16th  of  August,  1822, 
Lieut.  Gregory,  commanding  the  Grampus,  gave  chase  to  a  brigantine. 
On  being  overtaken,  the  brig  showed  Spanish  colors.  But  Lieut.  Greg- 
ory, suspecting  her  to  be  a  pirate,  called  upon  her  commander  to  surren- 
der. This  demand  was  replied  to  by  a  fire  from  cannon  and  small-arms. 
The  Grampus  now  opened  her  fire  in  broadside,  and  in  three  minutes 
and  a  half  the  brig  struck.  When  boarded  she  was  found  to  be  a  complete 
wreck,  with  one  man  killed  and  six  wounded.  The  Grampus  sustained 
no  injury.  The  prize  proved  to  be  the  privateer  Palmira,  of  Porto  Rico, 
carrying  one  long  brass  eighteen,  and  eight  18ft).  carronades,  with  a 
crew  of  eighty-eight  men.  The  oflBcers  acknowledged  that  they  Lad 
robbed  the  American  schooner  Coquette,  complaint  of  which  had  been 
made  to  Lieut.  Gregory.  Though  carrying  the  papers  of  a  privateer,  she 
was  thus  really  doing  the  work  of  a  pirate.  And  her  capture  was  a 
warning  to  other  privateers,  which  class  of  vessels  had,  before  this  time, 
in  various  ways,  annoyed  and  interfered  with  American  merchantmen. 

During  the  month  of  November,  in  this  year,  the  Alligator,  commanded 
by  Lieut.  William  H.  Allen,  was  lying  in  the  harbor  of  Matanzas,  v.hen 
information  was  brought  on  board,  of  late  acts  of  piracy  in  the  vicinity. 
Lieut.  Allen,  with  great  alacrity,  immediately  stood  out  of  the  bay,  and 
sailed  in  pursuit.  When  about  fifteen  leagues  from  Matanzas,  he  came 
in  sight  of  a  piratical  force,  consisting  of  three  well-armed  vessels,  carrying 
some  three  hundred  men.    They  had  five  prize  vessels  in  their  possession. 


1822.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


23 


Tba  Alligator  being  tinnble  to  come  up  with  thetn,  an  attack  was  made 
upon  one  of  the  vessels  in  boats;  Lieut.  Allen  taking  tlie  lead.  One  of 
the  pirates  oi)ened  a  heavy  fire  upon  the  boats,  which  continued  for  some 
time,  H8  he  was  under  way,  and  the  boats  hud  to  ptdl  hard  to  overtake 
biin.  Thus  exposed  they  still  pressed  on ;  Allen's  boat  being  considerably 
in  advance  of  the  others,  and  the  gallant  commander  standing  up,  and 
encouraging  his  men  in  their  exertions.  While  in  this  position  he 
received  a  musket  shot  in  the  head,  and,  soon  after,  another  in  the  breast, 
whicli,  in  a  few  hours,  proved  mortal.  The  pirates,  however,  did  not 
wait  to  be  boarded,  but  deserted  their  vessel,  when  they  found  themselves 
unable  to  drive  off  the  boats.  They  escaped  with  their  two  other  schooners, 
but  the  prizes  were  recaptured.  In  this  action  the  loss  of  the  Alligator 
was,  besides  Lieut.  Allen,  two  men  killed,  and  five  wounded ;  two  mor- 
tally. It  was  supposed  that  some  fourteen  of  the  pirates  were  killed. 
,  The  schooner  taken  was  armed  with  one  long  twelve,  two  long  sixes,  two 
long  threes,  and  two  swivels.  The  others  were  also  fully  armed  and 
equipped. 

Lieut.  Allen  had  attained  a  high  reputation  in  the  navy,  for  so  young 
an  officer,  as  he  was  but  thirty  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  the 
second  lieutenant  of  the  brig  Argus,  Captain  Allen,  when  she  was  taken 
by  the  Pelican,  on  the  coast  of  England,  in  1813,  and  commanded 
throughout  the  latter  part  of  the  action,  when  both  his  superior  officers 
had  been  carried  below  severely  wounded.  On  this  occasion  he  fought 
and  raanoeuvered  the  brig  in  the  most  gallant  and  skillful  manner. 

Shortly  after  this  exploit,  on  the  night  of  the  19th  of  November,  the 
Alligator  was  wrecked  on  Carysford  Reof.  Her  officers  and  crew  were  all 
saved. 

On  the  28th  and  30th  of  September,  of  this  year,  five  piratical  vessels 
were  captured  by  Captain  S.  Cassin,  commanding  the  Peacock. 

The  vessels  of  the  squadron  acted  with  all  possible  efficiency  on  this 
difficult  service ;  still,  notwithstanding  the  captures  made,  these  ravages 
upon  our  commerce,  and  outrages  upon  our  citizens,  were  rather  on  the 
increase.  The  difficulties  of  thoroughly  checking  them  could  hardly  be 
appreciated;  and  the  impatience  and  dissatisfaction  manifested  through 
the  public  journals  of  the  period,  evince  that  they  were  not  appreciated, 
even  by  the  best  inforn^ed.  But  few  of  the  pirates  kept  the  open  sea, 
so  as  to  fall  in  the  way  of  the  larger  cruisers.  This  class  of  ships  could, 
therefore,  eff"ect  but  little  toward  their  extermination  by  regular  sea-fights. 
The  main  portion  of  the  pirates  were  established  on  the  coast,  in  the 
more  uninhabited  parts  of  the  various  islands,  and  issued  out  from  their 
retreats  on  short  excursions,  in  small  schooners,  barges  and  boats.  When 
found  on  shore,  unless  actually  taken  in  the  act  of  plunder  and  chased 
in,  it  was  oftentimes  difficult  to  find  evidence  to  identify  them  as  pirates, 
for  to  appearance  they  were  but  fishermen  or  landsmen.  Others,  still,  were 
fitted  out  directly  from  some  of  the  principal  Spanish  ports,  and  obtained 
their  information,  from  friends  on  shore,  as  to  the  sailing  of  vessels,  their 
cargoes,  and  other  items  of  importance ;  and  instances  were  not  wanting, 
in  which  the  connivance  of  the  authorities  was  apparent  to  the  least 
sagacious.  The  labor  imposed  upon  the  officers  and  seamen  of  our  navy, 
Traa  consequently  to  be  performed  very  much  in  open  boats,  under  a 


I 


24 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1823. 


I 


tronicitl  sun,  ami  amid  the  intricacien  and  dangors  of  unknown  cooaU; 
ami,  whi^n  tliey  tvoio  fortunate  enough  to  drive  any  band  of  tlienu  harba- 
nans  on  Hhoro,  they  were  not  permitted  by  the  Spanish  authoritie*  to 
pursue  them  on  land ;  and,  in  case  of  a  short  puiisuit,  the  pinitoH  had  the 
advantage  of  a  local  knowledge,  through  which  tlicy  could  Hnd  numerous 
ways  of  cHoapo.  It  waa  apparent,  then,  that,  the  force  uii  this  service,  to 
be  made  cHicicnt,  must  be  both  peculiar  un<l  numerous.  With  this  idea, 
the  government,  in  the  commoncement  of  the  year  1823,  iittud  out  an 
expedition  which  was  more  adequate  in  its  construction  and  size  to  the 
en>erg(»ncy,  than  any  preceding  it.  Commodore  David  Porker  resigned 
his  otiico  as  commiiwioner  of  the  navy,  in  order  to  take  command  of  this 
expedition.  His  nenional  attention  was  devoted  to  the  selection  of  >  i  .isoia, 
and  their  preparation  for  the  service.  The  squadron,  when  '  v''^  <ir'^a'.i'i«d, 
comprised  the  Steam  Galliot  Sea  Oull;  eight  small  8'>  Kiourt)%  '■  v.  tiie 
Greyhound,  Jackall,  Fox,  Wildcat,  Beagle,  Ferret,  'A'e  .^el  nnd  Tenior; 
the  transport-shii)  Decov;  and  five  barges,  vir,:  the  ivL  ^uito,  Gnat, 
Miilge,  Sandfly  and  Gallinipper.  Besides  ihe^r,  ;ii  vessels  already  on 
the  West  India  Station  were  the  John  Adaiutt,  )  cacock,  H<^niet,  Spark, 
Grampus  and  Shark. 

Commodore  Porter  took  his  squadron  to  sea  on  tlie  14th  of  February, 
1823.  As  great  publicity  had  been  given  through  the  press  to  the 
pronaration  and  constitution  of  this  expedition,  and  the  proximity  of  the 
Ijnited  States  to  the  scene  of  operations  coul  1  not  but  favor  the  trans- 
mission  of  this  published  information.  Com.  Porter  wisely  judged  that 
the  piratoa  would  undoubtedly  change  their  ground  as  far  as  nosailtjo, 
and  therefore  an  immediate  cruise  near  their  old  haunts  would  ue  fruit- 
less. Ho  consequently  sailed  to  the  windward,  intending  first  to  touch 
at  tlio  island  of  St.  Thomas.  His  broad  pennant  was  hoisted  on  board 
tlio  Pea 'ock.  Arrived  olf  Porto  Rico,  he  addressed  a  communication  to 
the  governor  on  the  subject  of  the  interruptions  to  our  commerce  on  tho 
coasts  of  Mexico  and  Colombia  by  Porto  Kico  privateers,  and  also  on  tiio 
subject  of  the  blockade  of  these  coasts.  His  presence  and  communica- 
tions here  resulted  in  the  raising  of  the  blockade  of  the  main,  which  hud 
nominally  existed  up  to  this  time,  and  in  effectually  checking  tho  system 
of  licensed  piracy,  under  the  uame  of  privateering,  which  had  long  been 
carried  on  from  the  porta  of  this  island. 

While  off  this  island,  a  very  unfortunate  occurrence  took  place,  in  re- 
gard to  which  the  conduct  I  th  authorities  was  wholly  indefensible.  On 
the  i/il  of  March,  CommodOi^  •^  '^r  dispatched  the  G:  yhound,  Cnpt. 
John  Porter,  into  the  pcn  ot'  Sf.  ••i\:M%  v\\h  ..o  above-mentioned  com- 
munication to  the  governui .  On  the  5th,  he  ordered  Lieut.  W,  H.  Cocke, 
in  command  of  the  Fox,  to  enter  the  same  harbor,  in  order  to  ascertain 
the  probabilities  respecting  an  answer.  As  the  latter  was  endeavoring  to 
execute  this  order,  he  was  killed  by  a  shot  from  the  castle,  which  suddenly 
opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  the  schooner,  and  obliged  her  to  come  to 
anchor  under  its  guns.  The  only  satisfaction  offered  for  this  insult  auvl 
catastrophe  was  the  plea,  that  the  character  of  the  squadron  was  sus- 
pected or  not  certainly  understood,  and  therefore  the  commandant  ot  the 
poit  had  issued  orders  that  no  more  of  tho  vessels  should  be  penuittod 
to  enter,  until  the  arrival  of  the  governor.    Com.  Porter  ably  refuted  thi« 


188.1.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


S0 


S'ea,  in  a  letter  to  the  govornor,  and  itnme<Iintely  left  the  isUntJ,  rt'fcrrinij 
6  \N  hole  mutter  to  hin  govt'rnmont.  There  w  r«ui*«Mi  to  thi.ik  tliat  thin 
hoatile  aot  was  Honigned  m  a  moaHuro  of  retRlintioit  i<>r  th«  cnpturo  uf  the 
Pahiiirs,  previouhlv  uotiooil. 

Com.  Portor  now  divided  hi«  force  into  small  lotfuhmenta,  and  in  this 
waj  thoroii^lii\  ( oiired  the  coastnof  all  the  islandn  U^  the  north  of  Porto 
Rico,  inchidin^r  St  Domingo  and  Cuba.  Aroinid  the  entire  ooastof  this 
ln»t  island,  piracies  had  been  oiiffi«<l  on  to  a  ast  fxttint.  Kvery  l>av 
and  inlet  and  itoy  of  all  liiis  region  was  tlins  carefully  soandu'l.  With- 
out doubt,  the  infornuition  conveyed  to  tli"  piratt's  of  the  fit!  ut  and 
departure  of  the  expedition  Imd  thorongbiy  nlHrmod  thuni,  for  tl.  lotual 
captures  were  by  nomeauH  what  niigli  havn  been  expflct-'d,  liau  'h«ir 
hostile  acts  continued  to  the  extent  t,o  which  thoy  had  sdortly  U  lo 
been  prosecuted. 

Com.  Porter  then  proceeded  to  Thompson's  island,  now  k.  ^  We.-  . 
where  he  established  a  naval  doj)Ot,  and  reassembled  his  squadror  Th^ 
point  ho  made  the  centre  of  his  operations,  and  the  rei  ■  zvou  f  his 
vessels  after  their  short  cruises.  These  vessels  were  kept  >  iistantlj  •><  w- 
pied,  either  furnishing  convoy  to  tl  ;  merchantmen  pwwiiig  in  an.J  -ut 
of  the  gulf,  or  chasing  the  pirates  m  lo  occasionally  dared  to  veni.i'  >■  Jt. 
Piracy  as  a  system  was  eftectnally  br  ,^(in  up.  Under  date  of  April 
Com.  Porter  remarks:  "  I  believe  I  ,\\\  now  say  with  safety,  that  ) 

is  not  a  pirate  afloat  on  this  part  of    ho  coast  of  Cuba,  (the*  noi' 
larger  than  an  open  boat."     On  May  i  )tli,  he  writes  to  the  secrotai)     :' 
the  navy  to  this  effect:  "I  have  the  i  onor  to  inform  you,  that  not 
single  piratical  act  has  been  comnjittea  on  the  coast  of  Cuba  sinci 
organized  and  arranged  my  forces." 

It  must  be  remembered  that  at  this  time  there  was  also  n  considerabl- 
British  force  cruising  on  the  same  service,  and  that  the  Spanish  authoritie- 
were  also  aftbrding  more  efficient  cooperation  than  formerly.     Ther.- 
seemed,  therefore,  a  cheering  prospect  that  m  end  would  won  be  put  to 
these  crimes  upon  the  high  seas. 

Still,  the  force  under  Com.  Porter  was  so  -mall  for  the  service,  that  the 
labor  imposed  upon  the  officers  and  men  w  Ji  exceedingly  onercrs;  per- 
formed, as  most  of  it  was,  in  small  vessels  and  open  boats,  by  day  ind  by 
night,  thus  exposing  them  to  the  baneCul  intiiiences  of  the  climate,  and 
the  dangerous  consequences  of  over-exertion.  The  willing  endurance  and 
unceasing  vigilance  manifested  by  all,  wer  deserving  of  very  high 
commendation. 

The  retreat  of  the  pirates  from  the  sea  was  soon  followed  by  their 
«pj)earance  in  a  similar  dangerous  character  on  land.  In  the  noi;.jhbor- 
hood  of  Matanzas  they  were  especially  bold  and  alarming,  roaming  over 
the  country  in  large  bands,  fully  armed,  and  plundering  and  murdering 
the  unprotected  inhabitants. 

With  this  general  view  of  the  operations  and  benefits  of  the  squadron, 
it  may  be  interesting  to  connect  a  more  detailed  account  of  some  of  the 
most  important  captures. 

Information  being  received  of  a  suspicious  looking  vessel  on  the  coast 
of  Cuba,  Capt.  Cassin  was  ordered  in  search,  taking  with  him  the 
•choonere  Fox  and  Jackall,  and  the  barges  Gallinipper  and  Mosquito.    He 


26 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1823. 


:V 


i 


■ 


went  off  Havana,  and  there  offered  "convoy  to  a  lar^  *  fleet  of  merchant- 
men, while  Lieut.  Stribling,  in  the  Gallinipper,  was  dispatched  after  the 
pirate.  On  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  April,  this  officer  discovered  a 
schooner  about  three  miles  off",  working  in  toward  shore.  She  appeared 
full  of  men,  and  evidently  piratical.  Muskets  were  fired  to  bring  her  to. 
She  returned  a  smart  fire  of  round  shot,  grape  and  musketry,  and  still 
worked  hard  to  escape.  She  was  soon  run  on  shore,  and  the  crew,  with 
the  exception  of  one  man,  escaped.  Two  were  found  killed,  and  others 
must  have  been  severely  wounded,  as  the  captain  afterward  appeared  at 
Matanzas,  and  acknowledged  that  all  his  crew,  but  three,  were  killed. 
Pursuit  by  land  could  not  be  made,  so  the  party  were  contented  with 
getting  the  vessel  off",  and  carrying  her  in  as  a  prize.-  She  proved  to  be 
the  schooner  Pilot,  of  Norfolk,  a  very  fast  sailer,  and  a  craft  that  the 
pirates  had  long  wished  to  possess.  They  had  captured  her  but  eight 
days  before.  She  was  armed  with  a  long  twelve-pounder,  and  an  abund- 
ance of  blunderbusses  and  other  small-arms.  It  is  surprising  that  none 
in  the  assailing  party  were  injured  by  her  fire.  Her  commander  was  a 
notorious  buccaneer,  named  Domingo,  who,  notwithstanding  his  course 
of  life,  was  possessed  of  some  sentiments  of  honor;  for  there  were  letters 
for  Com.  Porter  and  his  officers  on  board  the  Pilot  when  Domingo  tooki 
her,  and  he  politely  forwarded  them,  with  the  message,  that  he  did  not 
wish  to  deprive  them  of  the  opportunity  of  hearing  from  their  friends; 
that  he  had  no  ill  will  against  them ;  that  they  were  only  engaged  in 
doing  their  duty. 

During  the  same  cruise  Capt.  Cassin  entered  a  harbor  noted  for  pirates, 
where  he  discovered  a  felucca  standing  out.  She  was  chased ;  when  her 
crew  ran  her  ashore,  and  took  to  the  land.  Pursuit  was  made  for  a  short 
distance,  but  the  enemy  knew  the  ground  and  escaped.  The  felucca 
was  a  new,  well  coppered  boat,  pulling  sixteen  sweeps,  and  evidently  just 
starting  on  her  first  cruise.  Capt.  Cassin  also  broke  up  several  different 
establishments  where  the  pirates  were  harbored ;  and  the  latter  burnt 
three  of  their  own  schoonere  on  his  approach. 

Lieut.  Newell,  commanding  the  Ferret,  discovered  a  large  armed  barge 
in  a  bay  not  far  from  Matanzas.  He  sent  an  officer  with  five  men,  all 
that  his  boat  would  hold,  to  reconnoitre.  Seven  boats  were  seen  on  the 
shore.  The  pirates  fired  upon  the  boat  with  muskets,  and  a  shot  taking 
effect  near  the  water  edge,  the  officer  was  obliged  to  retreat.  The 
schooner  then  stood  in  shore  as  close  as  possible,  and  commenced  firing, 
endeavoring  to  destroy  the  boats,  for  the  pirates  were  out  of  harm's  way 
behind  the  rocks.  As  she  could  fire  only  when  in  the  act  of  staying,  and 
it  was  blowing  hard,  she  hauled  off  and  went  to  Matanzas  for  a  suitable 
boat.  The  next  day  Lieut.  Newell  fell  in  with  an  English  brig,  from 
which  he  obtained  a  boat;  but  on  returning  to  the  bay,  the  pirates  were 
found  to  have  decamped.  On  landing,  two  boats  were  found ;  the  rest 
had  been  removed  up  a  lagoon  extending  some  miles  into  the  country. 
Being  unprovided  with  proper  boats,  Lieut.  Newell  could  not  follow. 

In  July,  one  of  the  most  desperate  contests  and  brilliant  victories  of 
the  expedition,  took  place  on  the  coast  of  Cuba.  In  June,  several 
piracies  were  reported,  as  having  occurred  on  the  south  side  of  the  island. 
Lieut.  Watson,  commanding  the  Gallinipper,  was  ordered  to  sail  round 


*f 


1823.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


27 


the  entire  island,  giving  its  shores  a  close  examination.    He  was  accom- 
panied by  the  Mosquito,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Inman.     These  barges 
carried,  in  all,  twenty-six  men  and  five  ofiicers.     While  cruising  in  Si- 
quapa  bay,  near  the  very  spot  where  the  gallant  Allen  was  killed,  a  large 
top-sail  schooner,  with  a  launch  in  company,  was  seen  working  up  to  an 
anchorage,  where  several  merchantmen  were  lying.    The  appearance  of 
these  vessels  was  so  suspicious,  that  Lieut.  Watson  bore  up  in  order  to 
discover  their  character.    The  schooner  was  seen  to  be  well  armed,  and 
her  deck  filled  with  men.     Lieut  Watson,  therefore,  showed  his  colors. 
On  this  the  chase  ran  up  the  Spanish  flag,  brailed  up  her  foresail,  and 
commenced  firing  into  the  Gallinipper.     Lieut.  Watson  kept  away,  and 
ran  down  upon  her  weather  quarter,  in  order  to  board ;  the  Mosquito 
attempting  to  close  at  the  same  time.     But  the  pirates,  wishing  to  avoid 
a  close  action,  and  having  vessels  of  good  sailing  qualities,  set  all  sail,  and 
went  off"  before  the  wind,  compelling  the  barges  to  enter  upon  a  long 
chase.    At  length,  having  run  quite  in  shore,  they  anchored  with  springs 
to  their  cables,  and  seemed  determined  to  make  an  obstinate  resistance. 
As  the  barges  now  stood  down  for  them,  the  pirates  fired  one  of  their 
heavy  guns;  but,  though  within  close  range,  no  injury  was  done.    They 
then  opened  with  small-arms,  which  the  barges  returned.     After  a  few 
volleys  the  order  was  given  to  board,  and  was  obeyed  with  a  loud  cheer, 
and  the  watchword  "  Huzza  for  Allen."     The  pirates  did  not  wait  for 
this  hand-to-hand  fight,  but  jumped  overboard,  and  sought  to  escape  by 
swimming  to  the  shore.     The  Mosquito  now  sailed  by  the  schooner,  and 
passed  through  those  that  were  swimming  in  the  water,  shooting  many 
of  them  as  she  went  by.    The  Gallinipper  also  pushed  on  to  cut  off 
their  retreat.     Some  reached  the  launch,  which  still  kept  up  her  fire. 
But  a  volley  of  musketry  soon  drove  her  crew  out  of  her.     The  men 
from  the  barges  landed,  and,  in  conrection  with  the  local  authorities, 
killed,  wounded,  or  took  prisoners,  all  who  reached  the  shore.    Many 
were  killed  in  the  water.     So  that  the  almost  total  destruction  of  the 
crews,  of  both  the  schooner  and  the  launch,  was  effected ;  amounting,  on 
the  best  information  that  could  bo  gained,  to  some  seventy  or  eighty  men. 

What  is  certainly  remarkable,  not  a  person  on  our  part  was  even 
wounded.  When  we  consider  the  great  disparity  in  the  number  of  men, 
the  superiority  in  the  vessel,  and  all  the  advantages  which  existed  on 
the  part  of  the  pirates,  this  must  be  set  down  as  a  very  brilliant  naval 
exploit. 

The  schooner  was  called  the  Catalina,  mounting  one  long  nine-pounder 
and  three  sixes.  She  was  commanded  by  a  celebrated  pirate  named 
Diabolito,  or  Little  Devil,  who  was  killed  in  the  action.  Her  career  had 
been  short,  having  been  captured  from  the  Spaniards  just  before,  and  this 
being  her  first  piratical  cruise.  'The  launch,  also  captured,  was  about 
equal  to  one  of  the  barges.  The  pirates  taken  prisoners  by  the  local 
authorities,  were  sent  to  Matanzas ;  and  five  surviving  ones,  in  the  hands 
of  LieiH.  Watson,  were  taken  to  Havana  and  delivered  up,  to  be 
punished  under  Spanish  law. 

In  the  same  month,  Lieut.  Kearney,  commanding  the  Greyhound,  and 
Lieut.  Newton,  commanding  the  Beagle,  landed  with  a  force  at  Cape 
Cruz,  and  after  a  pretty  sharp  encounter,  broke  up  an  establishment  of 


iH' 


28 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1824. 


b 


the  pirates,  burning  several  houses,  and  capturing  some  ordnance,  which 
was  mounted  on  shore. 

In  the  month  of  August,  a  malignant  fever  broke  out,  and  spread 
greatly  among  the  vessels  at  Thompson's  Island.  Its  prevalence  became 
alarming.  Many  died,  and  Commodore  Porter  and  many  of  his  officers 
were  prostrated  by  it.  It  was  a  very  natural  result  of  their  exposures 
and  poor  accommodations.  When  information  of  it  reached  Washington, 
Com.  Rodgei-s  was  directed  to  proceed  without  delay  to  the  island,  taking 
with  him  a  board  of  competent  surgeons,  in  order  that  it  might  be  de- 
termined, whether  from  any  cause  the  island  itself  was  imhealthy.  In 
case  of  a  fatal  issue  of  Commodore  Porter's  attack,  Com.  Rodgers  was 
to  assume  the  command.  In  the  mean  time,  however.  Com.  Porter  had 
determined,  for  the  safety  of  his  men,  to  come  to  the  northward,  and 
brought  most  of  his  squadron  home  shortly  after  Commodore  Rodgers 
had  sailed  for  the  island.  After  remaining  a  sufficient  time  to  obtain  the 
desired  benefit  of  a  change  of  air,  he  returned  with  his  vessels  to  his 
station. 

During  the  following  year,  1824,  piracies  were  carried  on  to  some  ex- 
tent —  committed  mainly  in  small  boats,  which  were  concealed  in  shore, 
and  made  short  and  rapid  excursions,  as  opportunities  occurred.  In  the, 
early  part  of  the  day,  merchant  ships  were  very  liable  to  be  becalmed, 
when  near  the  coast  of  Cuba.  Pirates  in  these  boats  could  at  such  times 
issue  out,  and  easily  attack  them,  there  being  no  chance  of  escape  by  the 
use  of  their  sails.  The  absence  of  the  squadron,  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  previous  year,  had  tended  somewhat  to  revive  the  spirit  of  these  mf- 
fian  adventurers.  It  became  quite  apparent  also  that  these  desperadoes 
were  organized  into  a  secret  association,  which,  in  the  case  of  Cuba,  ex- 
tended entirely  round  the  island,  and  with  which  Spanish  merchants  of 
respectable  standing  had  connections  of  so  intimate  a  chai-acter,  as  to  make 
them  accessories  to  all  these  inhuman  crimes.  Nor  were  some  agents  of  the 
custom  service,  and  other  officials  of  the  governments  of  the  islands,  too 
upright  and  pure  to  make  their  share  of  profit  out  of  this  system  of  plunder. 
And  it  certainly  wore  an  air  of  suspicion,  that  the  Spanish  authorities,  when 
too  feeble  themselves  to  destroy  the  pirates  on  land,  would  not  accord,  to 
the  American  forces,  the  privilege  of  pursuit  into  their  territories.  A 
continued  grievance  also  existed  in  the  fact,  that  the  actual  outrages  of 
piracy  were  constantly  committed  by  vessels,  bearing  commissions  as  pri- 
vateers from  the  Spanish  authorities  of  Porto  Rico.  The  little  American 
squadron,  therefore,  had  all  these  difficulties  to  contend  against,  superadded 
to  the  physical  hardships  of  the  service.  The  actual  force  of  this  squadron 
should  also  be  borne  in  mind,  for  that  portion  specially  directed  io  this 
one  object  did  not  much  exceed  in  guns  and  men,  the  force  of  a  first  class 
frigate. 

Some  few  captures  were  made  during  this  year.  Lieut.  Commandant 
Skinner,  of  the  Porpoise,  captured  a  schooner,  the  crew  of  which  escaped 
to  the  shore.  Lieut.  Comd't  Paine,  of  the  Terrier,  recaptured  ^* French 
ship  from  the  pirates,  and  chased  the  latter,  but  they  jumped  from  their 
boat  and  swam  to  the  shore. 

In  the  latter  part  of  October,  Lieut.  Piatt,  commanding  the  Beagle, 
was  informed  of  the  robbery  of  an  American  mercantile  house  in  St. 


1 


f  I 


1824.J 


NAVAL  HISTORY 


f» 


Thomas.  There  was  satisfactory  evidence  that  the  goods  had  beea 
carried  by  the  pirates  into  a  small  port  on  the  east  end  of  Porto  Rico, 
called  Foxardo.  There  had  long  been  a  good  understanding  with  the 
pirates  on  the  part  of  the  inhabitants,  if  not  of  the  local  government 
of  this  town.  Lieut.  Piatt  readily  agreed  to  afford  his  aid  in  recoveiing 
the  property.  He  set  sail  immediately,  and  anchored  in  the  harbor  of 
J'oxardo.  He  then  waited  upon  the  proper  civil  officers,  who  treated  him 
roughly,  demanded  his  commission,  which,  when  sent  for,  they  pronounced 
a  forgery ;  charged  him  with  being  a  pirate,  and  finally  arrested  him,  and 
Lieut.  Ritchie,  who  was  with  him,  and  detained  them  under  guard  during 
the  day.  After  various  insults  on  the  part  of  the  officials  and  the  inhab- 
itants, they  were  permitted  to  return  to  their  vessel.  As  the  Beagle  was 
running  off  the  coast,  she  met  the  John  Adams  standing  in.  Lieut.  Piatt 
went  on  board,  and  reported  the  treatment  he  had  received,  to  Cora. 
Porter.  The  decision  of  the  latter  was  soon  formed :  he  deemed  this  an 
insult  to  the  flag  of  his  country,  which  nmst  be  atoned  for.  The  John 
Adams,  drawing  too  much  water  to  enter  the  bay,  was  ordered  to  a  safe 
anchorage.  The  Commodore  then  took  the  Beagle  and  Grampus,  with 
the  boats  of  the  John  Adams,  containing  a  part  of  her  crew  and  officers 
under  Captain  Dallas,  her  commander,  and  proceeded  toward  Foxardo. 
He  addressed  a  letter,  dated  November  12th,  to  the  alcalde  of  the  place, 
reciting  the  facts  of  the  injury,  demanding  explanation  and  atonement, 
and  threatening  in  case  of  refusal  to  make  the  town  responsible.  He 
gave  one  hour  for  a  decision.  This  letter,  on  landing,  was  sent  by  a 
lieutenant  with  a  flag  of  truce.  Previous  to  this,  as  the  vessels  were 
coming  to  anchor,  it  was  perceived  that  preparations  were  making  in  a 
shore  battery  to  fire  upon  them.  A  boat  was  immediately  sent  with  a 
detachment  of  seamen  and  marines,  who  took  the  battery  and  spiked  the 
£^  jns,  the  Spaniards  fleeing  without  an  attempt  at  defence.  Commodore 
Porter  now  landed  with  two  hundred  men,  who  were  formed  in  marching 
Older,  and  moved  toward  the  town.  A  battery  of  two  guns,  which 
raked  the  road  in  a  very  commanding  position,  was  also  deserted,  and  the 
guns  were  spiked  by  our  men.  In  half  an  hour  the  town  was  reached, 
and  was  found  prepared  to  make  a  defence.  The  party  halted  to  await 
the  return  of  the  white  flag.  The  authorities  concluded  to  endure  the 
humiliation  of  an  explanation,  rather  than  the  evils  of  a  contest.  The 
alcalde  and  the  captain  of  the  port  appeared,  and  in  the  most  humble 
manner  apologized  to  Lieut.  Piatt  pei-sonally.  They  expressed  great 
penitence  for  the  wrong  they  had  done,  and  promised  thereafter  to 
respect  most  carefully  the  rights  of  American  officers.  This  apology 
was  accepted,  and  after  marching  through  the  town  the  party  returned 
to  their  vessels. 

Com.  Porter's  dispatch,  giving  an  account  of  this  affair,  produced  an 
immediate  order,  dated  27th  December,  for  his  return  home.  The  gov- 
ernment deemed  that  he  had  overstepped  the  limits  of  his  powei's,  and  so 
also  did  the  court-martial  which  was  appointed  for  his  tiial.  He  offered 
a  defence  based  on  three  grounds  —  the  law  of  nations,  American  prece- 
dents, and  the  ordera  of  the  department.  He  was,  however,  sentenced  to 
be  suspended  from  the  service  for  six  months ;  and  the  President  approved 
the  sentence.    This  result  so  deeply  affected  the  feelings  of  Com,  Porter, 


i; 


s(f 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1825. 


that  he  resigned,  and  entered  into  the  Mexican  service,  where  he  received 
the  appointment  of  commander-in-chief  of  the  naval  forces,  with  a  salary 
of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars  a  year.* 

Captain  Lewis  Warrington  was  appointed  to  succeed  Com.  Porter  in 
his  command.  The  vessels  employed  in  the  West  Indies  during  the  year 
1826,  were  the  Constellation,  John  Adams,  Hornet,  Spark,  Grampus, 
Shark,  Fox,  the  Steam  Galliot  Sea  Gull,  the  store-ship  Decoy  and  the 
barges. 

The  schooner  Feiret  was  upset  in  a  squall,  on  the  4th  of  February, 
1825,  off  the  coast  of  Cuba,  and  five  of  her  crew  were  lost.  The  vessel 
sunk  soon  after  the  survivors  were  rescued  by  the  Sea  Gull  and  the 
Jackall.         -i ;     •. 

The  same  system  of  marine  police,  which  had  been  established  by 
Com.  Porter,  was  still  maintained  by  his  successor,  the  vessels  being  con- 
stantly occupied  in  watching  the  coasts,  and  afibrding  convoy  to  merchant- 
men. As  it  became  now  a  settled  purpose  with  our  government  to 
maintain  an  efficient  force  in  these  seas  so  long  as  the  danger  existed,  the 
depredations  and  cruelties  of  the  pirates  gradually  diminished,  as  they 
doubtless  found  that  their  business  was  growing  more  hazardous  and  less 
profitable.  Consequently,  but  few  captures  were  reported  during  this 
year. 

In  the  month  of  March,  a  piratical  sloop  appearing  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  island  of  St.  Thomas,  Lieut  Sloat,  commai^ding  the  Grampus, 
cruising  in  that  quarter,  fitted  out  a  trading  sloop  with  two  lieutenants 
and  twenty-three  men,  and  dispatched  her  in  pursuit  The  pirate,  unsus- 
picious of  the  character  of  the  sloop,  came  alongside,  and  at  half  musket 
shot  commenced  firing.  Having  thus  drawn  the  other  into  the  snare, 
the  sloop  now  opened  a  warm  and  unexpected  fire.  The  action  continued 
about  forty-five  minutes,  when  the  pirates  as  u^ual  ran  their  vessel  on  shore, 
and  took  to  the  land.  Two  of  them  were  killed,  and  ten  were  taken 
prisoners,  after  landing,  by  Spanish  soldiei-s.  It  was  a  subject  of  special 
satisfaction  that  among  the  prisoners  was  a  celebrated  chief  Colfrecinas, 
who  had  for  years  been  the  terror  of  the  vicinity.  They  were  all  exe- 
cuted by  the  government  of  Porto  Rico. 

In  the  month  of  March,  Lieut.  McKeever,  commanding  the  Sea  Gull, 
accompanied  by  the  barge  Gallinipper,  started  on  a  cruise.  Falling  in 
with  the  English  frigate  Dartmouth,  and  two  English  armed -schoonera, 
he  entered  into  an  arrangement  for  cooperation  with  the  boats  of  the 
frigate,  on  condition  that  he  should  command  the  party.  On  the  after- 
noon of  the  25th,  in  approaching  a  key,  which  they  suspected  of  being 
a  rendezvous  of  pirates,  they  discovered  the  masts  of  a  vessel  concealed 
in  the  bushes.  When  hailed  she  hoisted  Spanish  a>lors,  and  ordered  the 
boats  to  keep  oflj  at  the  same  time  training  her  guns  upon  them,  and 
making  some  inefiectual  attempts  to  fire.     Part  of  the  force  was  now 

>  He  remained  in  the  service  of  Mexico  until  1829,  when  he  returned  to  bis  native  country, 
and  was  appointed  by  President  Jackson,  consul-general  to  Algiers.  This  post  he  occupied  till 
the  Frciicli  conquest  of  Algiers,  when  he  wre  transferred  to  Constantinople  in  the  capacity  of 
Charge  d'aflPaires.  He  afterward  came  to  this  country  on  a  visit,  and  returned  accredited  to  the 
Porte  as  a  ftill  minister.  He  proved  a  very  capable  and  worthy  representative  of  his  country, 
•nd  rendered  her  valuable  services  in  the  negotiation  of  important  treaties  with  the  Sultan.  His 
health,  however,  gradually  failed,  and  he  died  at  Tera,  a  suburb  of  Constantinople,  on  the  3Sth 
of  March,  1843,  at  the  age  nf  si.xty-three.  His  body  was  brought  home  and  interred  in  tb« 
ground*  of  the  Naval  Asylum  near  Philadelphia. 


1826-31.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


51 


landed,  wliilo  one  boat  kept  on,  to  board.  The  commander  was  ordered 
to  come  on  shore,  which  he  did  after  much  hesitation,  but  then  attempted 
to  run  away.  The  cutter,  in  the  mean  time,  boarding,  and  resistance  being 
made,  a  general  firing  ensued  both  on  board  and  on  shore.  The  pirates 
were  finally  subdued,  with  a  loss  on  their  part  of  eight  killed  and  nine- 
teen taken  prisoners.  Several  escaped  by  taking  to  the  bushes.  The 
schooner  mounted  two  sixes  on  pivots,  and  four  large  swivels,  besides  arms 
for  thirty-five  men.  She  pretended  to  carry  Spanish  papera,  but  they 
were  evidently  false.  Cases  of  American  goods  were  also  found,  not  only 
in  the  vessel,  but  also  concealed  in  the  bushes  on  shore.  The  next  day 
they  chased  a  schooner-rigged  boat,  which  was  deserted  by  the  crew 
when  they  found  they  could  not  escape. 

Cora.  Warrington,  in  discharging  the  duties  of  this  command,  gained 
a  well-deserved  reputation  aa  a  vigilant,  active  and  zealous  officer.  More- 
over he  was  fully  successful  in  accomplishing  the  object  so  long  desired, 
the  freedom  of  the  seas  from  the  dangerous  presence  of  these  lawless  and 
inhuman  rovers.  In  his  message  of  December,  1826,  the  President  was 
able  to  report  to  Congress,  that  piratical  practices  had  been  totally  sup- 
pressed. At  the  same  time  the  secretary  of  the  navy  says  in  his  report: 
"  The  view  of  our  interests  in  the  West  Indies,  so  far  as  they  are  con- 
nected with  the  services  of  the  navy,  is  more  gratifying  than  at  any  time 
during  the  last  four  years." 

It  was  of  course  still  necessary,  during  several  years,  to  keep  a  squadron 
in  these  waters,  until  the  permanent  conviction  that  the  United  States 
were  determined  to  protect  their  commerce  effectually,  was  so  thoroughly 
impressed  upon  this  unprincipled  and  reckless  class  of  men,  that  they 
abandoned  all  hope  of  a  revival  of  their  outlawed  trade.  In  late  years 
this  region  has  become  entirely  freed  from  this  source  of  annoyance  and 
danger,  and  its  maritime  interests  have  been  under  the  supervision  of  the 
home  squadron.  ,     " ,      .....    .^ 


CHAPTER  III. 

Potomac  under  Com.  Downes  ordered  to  the  East  Indies— Attack  of  Malays  on  the  crcvr  of  the 
ship  Friendship — Potomac  arrives  at  Quallah  Uuttoo — Landing  of  the  forces  and  attack  upontho 
town  under  Lieut.  Shubrick — Sharp  encounters  at  the  several  forts— Malays  defeated  and  pun- 
ished—Death of  Com.  Bainbridge— Deaths  of  several  of  tlie  older  Commodores. 

The  frigate  Potomac  44,  was  selected,  in  1831,  to  be  the  flag-ship  of 
the  Pacific  squadron,  and  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Commodore 
John  Downes.  It  was  originally  intended  that  she  should  convey  the 
Hon.  Martin  Van  Buren,  lately  appointed  minister  to  the  court  of  St. 
James,  to  England,  and  then  proceed  by  way  of  Cape  Horn  to  her  sta- 
tion. But  intelligence  of  events  in  the  East  Indies,  received  at  this  time, 
altered  the  plan,  and  hastened  her  departure  in  a  more  direct  course 
toward  that  part  of  the  Pacific.  The  events  which  caused  this  change 
were  these.  The  ship  Friendship,  Captain  Endicott,  of  Salem,  Mass.,  was 
lying,  on  the  7th  of  February,  1831,  in  the  harbor  of  Quallah  Battoo, 


f!  I 


32 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1831. 


on  the  western  coast  of  the  island  of  Sumatra.  Her  officers  and  crew 
were  engaged  in  taking  on  board  a  cargo  of  pepper.  The  pepper  was 
purchased  of  the  Malays,  there  being  large  plantations  in  the  neighbor- 
hood devoted  to  its  cultivation ;  it  was  weighed  on  shore,  and  then  carried 
off  to  the  ship  in  her  own  boats  rowed  by  natives  hired  for  the  occasion. 
On  the  morning  of  the  day  mentioned.  Captain  Endicott,  his  second 
mate,  and  four  seamen  were  on  shore  as  usual,  attending  to  or  watching 
the  part  of  the  business  transacted  there.  The  depot  was  situated  a  short 
distance  up  a  river  which  ran  through  the  town  and  emptied  into  the 
harbor.  One  boat  received  its  load  and  was  rowed  to  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  where  it  stopped,  and,  as  the  captain  supposed,  received  some  more 
natives  on  board ;  but  in  reality  the  crew  was  changed,  a  body  of  armed 
men,  double  the  number  of  the  iortner  crew,  taking  their  place.  This 
attracted  the  notice,  but  did  not  awaken  the  feara  of  the  party  on  shore, 
and  two  of  them  were  directed  to  watch.  The  boat  proceeded  alongside 
the  ship,  and  commenced  unloading.  As  more  were  in  the  boat  than 
were  necessary  for  this  purpose,  the  larger  part  went  on  board  the  ship. 
The  mate  ordered  them  back,  but  they  lingered,  and  as  he  was  attending 
to  the  reception  of  the  pepper,  they  suddenly  approached  him  from  be- 
hind, stabbed  him  in  the  back  and  soon  dispatched  him.  They  also 
killed  two  seamen  and  wounded  three  others.  Four  seamen  jumped 
overboard  and  succeeded  in  reaching  the  shore,  though  they  swam  two 
miles  before  they  could  safely  land,  as  the  M.^lays  lined  the  beach.  The 
ship  was  now  in  the  possession  of  the  treacherous  and  murderous  assail- 
ants, and  many  more  began  to  push  oflF  in  boats  to  join  them. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  party  on  shore  perceived  that  there  was  trouble 
on  board  the  vessel,  and  were  able  to  step  into  their  other  boat  and  push 
out  into  the  river,  just  in  time  to  save  their  lives  from  an  assault  of  the 
natives,  who  were  exulting  with  delight,  as  they  saw  the  signals  of  capture 
flying  on  board  the  ship.  As  they  shoved  oftj  Po  Adam,  a  Malay  Rajah, 
who  was  peculiarly  favorable  to  the  Americans,  sprang  into  the  boat  and 
went  with  them.  The  captain  said,  "What,  you  come  too,  Adam?" 
"  Yes,"  he  replied ;  "  if  they  kill  you,  they  must  kill  me  first,  captain." 
They  were  intercepted  by  a  boat  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  but  the  mate, 
brandishing  the  cutlass  of  Po  Adam,  the  only  weapon  indeed  they  had, 
kept  the  enemy  at  bay,  so  that  they  passed  out  uninjured. 

Seeing  such  numbers  of  Malays  on  board,  Captain  Endicott  concluded 
that  any  attempt  to  retake  the  ship  would  be  but  destruction  to  them- 
selves, and  therefore  steered  for  Muckie,  a  place  twenty  miles  to  the  south, 
to  obtain  assistance.  After  a  hard  row  they  reached  this  place  in  the 
night,  and  found  there  one  ship  and  two  brigs,  all  American,  the  captaiiu 
of  which  resolved  to  undertake  the  recapture  of  the  Friendship.  They 
proceeded  to  Quallah  Battoo,  and  sent  a  demand  to  the  principal  Rajah 
for  the  restoration  of  the  vessel.  He  refused  to  give  her  up,  and  taunt- 
ingly sent  them  word  to  take  her  "  if  tliey  could."  The  Malays,  in  their  at- 
tempts to  get  her  to  the  shore,  had  r  a  her  upon  a  reef.  The  three  vessels 
ranged  as  near  as  possible,  and  opened  a  fire  upon  her.  This  was  returned 
both  from  the  ship,  and  from  the  forts  on  shore.  Finding  the  fire  was 
ineffective,  the  Americans  now  manned  their  boats,  and  pulled  toward  the 
ship,  with  the  intention  of  boarding.    This  the  Malays  did  not  care  to 


1832.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


33 


wait  for,  but  threw  themselves  into  the  water  and  made  for  shore.  Cap- 
tain Endicott  was  again  master  of  his  ship,  but  she  had  been  com- 
pletely rifled  of  all  valuables.  Twelve  thousand  dollars  in  specie  waa 
stolen,  and  other  property  to  a  large  amount,  and  as  the  voyage  was 
abandoned,  the  entire  loss  to  the  owners  was  some  forty  thousand  dollars. 

This  account  plainly  discloses  distinct  evidences  of  a  concealed  plan  on 
the  part  of  the  Rajahs  and  people  to  become  possessed  of  this  ship. 
These  evidences  need  not  be  recapitulated. 

When  the  Friendship  arrived  home,  her  owners  laid  a  statement  of 
these  facts  before  the  government,  and  in  view  of  the  interests  of  commerce, 
it  was  deemed  exceedingly  important  that  a  vessel  of  war  should  show 
itself  in  these  seas,  and  obtain  redress  for  this  special  and  aggravated 
wrong.     Commodore  Downes  was  instructed  to  this  effect. 

The  Potomac  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  2l8t  of  August,  1831, 
having  a  complement,  of  all  ranks,  of  five  hundred  men.  She  touched 
at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  in  search  of  information.  No  very  certain 
or  extensive  knowledge  could  be  obtained  respecting  the  place  or  people, 
to  whom  this  first  visit  of  an  American  national  ship  was  to  be  made. 
Not  even  a  full  and  reliable  chart  of  the  coast  could  be  obtained.  The 
place,  named  Quallah  Battoo,  is  situated,  as  has  been  already  stated,  on 
the  western  shore  of  the  island  of  Sumatra.  It  lies  entirely  open  to  the 
sea.  The  navigation  in  the  vicinity  is  exceedingly  difficult  and  danger- 
ous; reefs  and  shoals  lining  the  shore.  The  town,  including  the  neighbor- 
ing pepper  plantations,  and  thus  embracing  those  who  may  be  regarded  as 
under  one  government,  may  have  had  a  population  of  four  thousand  souls. 
It  is  almost  perfectly  concealed  in  a  thick  growth  of  timber  and  jungle. 
Several  small  forts,  mounted  with  three  or  four  guns  each,  constitute  its 
defences ;  which,  indeed,  are  quite  effectual  against  the  attacks  of  neighbor- 
ing tribes. 

The  Quallah  Battooans  forn  independent  community,  owing  no 
particular  allegiance  to  any  power.  They  pay  some  tribute  to  the  King  of 
Acheen,  but  he  does  not  hold  himself  responsible  for  any  of  their  acts.  They 
are  divided  into  various  clans,  at  the  head  of  each  of  which  is  a  Rajah  or 
chief.  They  are  a  treacherous  race,  acknowledging  none  of  the  laws  that 
govern  civilized  nations,  and  in  fact  cannot  be  considered,  in  the  light  of 
justice  and  morality,  as  any  better  than  pirates.  They  are  of  a  warlike 
disposition,  and  in  respect  to  courage  and  military  skill,  are  by  no  means 
to  be  despised. 

On  the  5th  of  February,  1832,  the  Potomac  arrived  on  the  coast  of  Su- 
matra. Commodore  Downes  disguised  the  frigate  as  a  merchantman, 
and  then  stood  in  and  anchored  about  three  miles  from  the  town.  Several 
otHcers,  dressed  as  citizens  and  sailors,  rowed  toward  the  shore  in  a  small 
boat,  with  the  intention  of  landing,  and  gaining  some  idea  of  the  localities. 
But  the  Malays  evidently  had  their  suspicions  aroused,  and  manifested 
such  signs  of  hostility,  that  it  was  not  deemed  prudent  to  attempt  to  land. 
Com.  Downes  being  convinced  that  any  mere  verbal  demand  for  satisfac- 
tion would  be  entirely  useless,  and  only  give  time  for  the  Malays  to  pre- 
pare better  for  their  defence,  determined  to  make  an  attack  as  soon  as 
possible,  in  hopes  of  taking  them  by  surprise,  and  securing  the  persons 
of  some  of  the  Rajahs;  holding  whom  aa  hostages,  he  might  gain  higher 


m 


i 


m 


.t^::ll 


:!iiii' 


34 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1883. 


i' 


terms  of  sutisfaction.  Preparations  to  land  tho  sntno  night  were  therefore 
made.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  seamen  and  ninrinos  wore  detailed  for  the 
duty,  with  proper  division  officei-s,  and  the  whole  phiuod  under  the  com- 
mand of  Irvine  Shubrick,  tlie  first  lieutenant  of  the  Hhip.  Mr.  Barry, 
who  was  the  second  mate  of  the  Friendship  at  the  time  of  the  massacre, 
had  come  out  as  master's  mate  in  the  Potomac,  in  order  that  he  might 
render  service  as  a  guide.  Ho  had  a  general  knowledge  of  the  position 
of  the  forts,  and  rendered  invaluable  aid  in  dii'ooting  the  attacking 
parties. 

At  a  sufficient  time  before  daylight  to  be  unobserved,  tho  boats  were 
hoisted  out,  and  the  men  stowed  away  in  thoin;  when  they  quietly  and 
swiftly  pulled  toward  shore.  They  went  in  through  a  heavy  surf,  but 
were  all  safely  landed,  and  in  fifteen  minutes  wore  formed  in  their  line 
of  march.  Lieut.  Edson  led  the  van  with  tho  marines.  The  first  divis- 
ion of  the  seamen  was  commanded  by  Lieut.  Pinkham,  the  second  by 
Lieut.  Hoff,  and  the  third  by  Lieut.  Ingersoll.  A  six-pounder  followed 
under  the  charge  of  sailing-master  Totten.  Tho  boats  wore  directed  to 
keep  company  just  outside  the  surf. 

When  the  dny  dawned,  the  inarch  commenced  along  the  beach.  The 
Malays  were  anticipating  an  attack,  for  their  scouts  wore  seen.  Lieut. 
Hoff  was  ordered  to  surround  the  firat  fort,  which  was  the  most  northern 
one.  He  left  the  main  body  with  his  division,  and  soon  came  to  the 
outworks,  consisting  ^f  a  strong  stockade  of  tinibor.  Within  this  there 
was  still  a  citadel,  armed  with  small  cannon.  No  time  was  afforded  for 
parley  and  conciliation,  for,  as  soon  as  the  division  approached,  tho  Malays 
commenced  the  action  by  a  sharp  fire  from  all  urni.s.  They  fought  with 
great  bravery  and  steadiness,  and  wore  found  to  bo  no  mean  advei-saries. 
Lieut.  Hoff  succeeded  in  breaking  through  tho  gateway  of  the  stockade, 
but  the  Malays  still  stood  the  attack  for  two  hours,  within  their  citadel. 
Finding  it  impossible  to  dislodge  them  by  a  distant  firo,  preparations  were 
made  to  take  the  citadel  by  storm.  It  was  nocosmiry  to  tear  up  some  of 
the  palisades  and  to  form  a  bridge  of  them,  over  which  the  eager  seamen 
rushed,  carrying  the  work  which  had  go  long  held  them  in  check,  by  an 
assault,  which  the  Malays  could  not  withstand,  Thoy  lied,  leaving  twelve 
dead,  but  carrying  their  wounded  with  thorn. 

Lieut.  Edson,  with  his  marines,  attacked  the  next  fort  situated  in  the 
rear  of  tho  town.  The  Malays  behaved  with  tho  same  spirit  here.  But 
they  could  not  face  the  marines,  as  with  steady  discipline  they  stormed 
the  fort,  and  foi'ced  their  way  into  it.  The  contest  was  not  continued  so 
long  here  as  at  the  first  fort.  • 

Mr.  Barry  was  unable  to  find  the  othor  fort  in  tho  rear  of  the  town, 
so  thoroughly  was  it  concealed  in  the  trees;  so  that  Liout.  Pinkham,  who 
had  been  sent  against  it  with  tho  first  division,  lod  his  men  througli  the 
town,  and  rejoined  Lieut.  Shubrick.  Tho  latter  had  already  commenced 
his  attack,  with  the  third  division  under  Lieut.  Jngoi-soll,  aided  by  the 
six-pounder,  upon  the  principal  fort,  situated  at  the  southern  point  of  the 
town,  and  quite  near  the  beach.  Hero  the  fight  was  long  and  gallantly 
maintained  on  both  sides.  The  six-poundor  was  brought  up,  and  being 
managed  with  admirable  precision  and  skill  by  Mr.  Totten,  did  great  ex- 
ecution.   The  gate  of  the  outer  defences  was  soon  forced,  and  the  men 


[1883. 

ire  therefore 

liled  for  the 

er  the  com- 

Mr.  Barry, 

lie  tnasaacre, 
at  he  mi^ht 
the  position 
le  attacking 

3  boats  were 
'  quietly  and 
avy  surf,  but 
in  their  line 
he  first  divis- 
lie  socond  by 
nder  followed 
[•0  directed  to 

I  beach.    The 
seen.     Lieut, 
most  northern 
I  came  to  the 
thin  this  there 
ts  attbrded  for 
ed,  the  Malays 
)y  fought  with 
inn  advei-saries. 
f  the  stockade, 
n  their  citadel, 
jarations  were 
\r  up  some  of 
J  eager  seamen 
n  check,  by  an 
oaving  twelve 

situated  in  the 
irit  here.  But 
they  stormed 
ot  continued  so 

ar  of  the  town, 
Pinkham,  who 
en  through  the 
dy  commenced 
,  aided  by  the 
jrn  point  of  the 
and  gallantly 
up,  and  being 
n,  did  great  ex- 
d,  and  the  men 


1832.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


85 


rushed  in  without  reluctance,  anxious  to  come  to  closer  quarters  with  their 
foes.  But  the  severest  part  of  their  wc  et  remained  to  be  done.  T h« 
stronghold,  consisting  of  an  elevated  platto.  m  mounted  with  several  oannon, 
still  held  out,  and  our  men  had  to  stand  the  fire  from  it  without  protection. 
The  ladder  to  the  platform  bad  of  course  been  removed,  and  in  the  at- 
tempt to  climb  up  to  it  one  of  the  seamen  was  killed  and  several  wen> 
wounded.  At  this  critical  moment  Lieutenants  Hoff  and  Kdson,  liaving 
secured  their  victories,  came  up  with  detachments  from  their  divisions, 
and  took  a  position  between  the  fort  and  the  wattir,  from  which  they 
poured  in  a  very  effective  cross  fire.  The  men  in  the  boata  were  also  near 
enough  to  make  their  fire  felt  in  the  contest.  The  battle  now  ramjd 
against  the  devoted  Malays  with  exterminating  severity.  Although  thus 
closely  invested,  and  numbers  falling  under  so  well  conducted  a  firo,  they 
yet  fought  with  desperation ;  and  it  was  not  till  almost  all  were  killed, 
that  their  position  could  be  carried.  Their  guns  were  then  spiked  and 
dismounted. 

There  was  still  another  large  fort  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 
It  had  kept  up  an  annoying  fire  upon  our  troops  from  a  twelve-iMnmder, 
during  the  attack  upon  the  last  fort.  But  it  wiis  found  impracticable  to 
ford  tlio  river,  and  it  was  not  prudent  to  bring  the  boats  around  into  it, 
Bo  that  an  attack  upon  this  one  was  relinquished. 

The  town  was  now  fired  and  much  of  it  was  reduced  to  aslios.  Tho 
fort  which  Lieut.  Pinkham's  division  was  unable  to  find,  now  revealed  its 
position  by  opening  its  fire.  A  detachment  was  ordered  to  captuixj  it- 
The  Malays  as  usual  fought  fiercely.  But  success  had  animated  tho 
Americans  with  even  unwonted  zeal  and  impetuosity,  and  after  a  short 
conflict  they  carried  this  work  by  assault.  The  Malays  surtored  greatly 
at  this  point  also.  Those  able  to  flee  escaped  through  secrut  pjxssagea  in 
the  jungle,  into  which  it  was  worse  than  useless  to  follow  thom. 

The  action  had  now  continued  about  two  hours  and  a  half,  and  with 
success  on  our  part  at  every  point  attacked.  The  surf  began  to  increase 
so  much  as  to  rer  ier  it  unsafe  for  the  boats  to  remain  lonijer  near  tho 
shore.  Large  numbers  of  Malays  also  began  to  collect  in  tho  rear  of  tho 
town,  and  the  officer  in  conmiand  wisely  judged  that  further  injury  oven 
to  the  enemy  could  not  be  necessary  after  the  severe  retaliatory  measures 
just  inflicted.  The  order  was  therefore  given  to  re-embark,  and  soon  tlio 
victorious  troops  were  again  on  board  of  the  frigate.  This  success  was  pur» 
chased  at  some  cost  to  our  own  brave  men,  though  it  was  comparativoly 
small.  Two  men  were  killed ;  two  officers  and  nine  men  were  wounded* 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  must  have  been  very  severe;  for  it  was  knowa 
that  at  least  one  hundred  and  fifty  were  killed.  Among  those  killod  was 
the  Rajah  who  was  principally  concerned  in  the  capture  and  pluiulor  of 
the  Friendship.  Com.  Downes  in  his  report  of  tho  affair,  romiu'ks: 
"Lieut.  Shubrick  has  my  warmest  acknowledgement  for  the  ablo  and 
gallant  manner  in  which  he  conducted  the  expedition."  In  his  report 
to  Commodore  Downes,  Lieut.  Shubrick  says:  "The  lieutenants,  com- 
manding the  different  divii^ions,  have  reported  to  me  the  entire  satisfaction 
they  derived  from  the  coolness  and  bravery  of  the  officers  and  men  under 
their  particular  commands." 

The  next  morning  the  Potomac  stood  in,  and  anchored  within  a  mil© 


36 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1883. 


ii 

r 


I 


i'i 


$ 


of  the  town,  bringinjr  her  broadalde  to  bear  upon  it.  The  Malays  thought, 
or  pretended  to  think,  that  the  /raericans  had  no  ships  of  war,  or  *' ships 
with  big  guns,"  inasmuch  as  none  had  ever  appeared  off  their  coast. 
Commodore  Downes  thought  it  would  be  an  impressive  lesson  for  them 
to  iearn,  from  their  own  observation,  the  power  of  heavy  guns.  He  con- 
sequently opened  a  fire  with  thirtv-two  pound  shot  upon  the  fort  on  the 
other  side  of  the  river,  which  had  been  so  troublesome  the  day  before. 
As  the  shot  began  to  plough  their  way  through  the  wooden  structure^ 
the  Malays,  abundantly  convinced,  fled  from  its  slender  protection.  After 
cutting  up  the  fort  very  severely,  seeing  white  flags  raised  in  various 
places,  the  Commodore  ordered  hostilities  to  cease.  A  white  flag  shortly 
came  oft'  to  the  ship,  accompanied  by  several  of  the  inhabitants,  who 
expressed  the  greatest  penitence  for  their  misdeeds,  sued  most  humbly 
for  peace,  and  begged  especially  that  no  more  "  big  guns "  should  be 
fired. 

Com.  Downes,  through  an  interpreter,  addressed  them  respecting  their 
conduct  in  the  case  of  the  Friendship,  set  forth  its  enormity,  cautioned 
them  as  to  their  future  treatment  o''  Americans,  and  threatened  Ihera 
with  the  power  of  l.Is  country  ;i!ionld  they  again  manifest  similar 
treachery  and  barbarity.  The  Potomac  then  proceeded  by  the  way  of 
China  to  her  station  in  the  Pacific.  After  a  full  account,  and  a  particular 
explanation  of  the  causes  which  induced  him  to  retaliate  by  force  without 
any  previous  demand  for  satisfaction  upon  the  Rajahs  of  Quallah  Battoo, 
the  course  of  Com.  Downes  met  the  approval  of  the  government. 

In  1833,  the  navy  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  death  of  one  of  its 
long  distinguished  crntains ;  one  of  that  number  whose  personal  fame 
appears  identified  with  <  j..-  fan' .  of  the  service  itself.  On  the  26th  of  July 
in  this  year,  Com,  William  Bainbridge  expired  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
in  the  sixtieth  year  of  Iiis  age.  He  entered  the  navy  in  1798,  his  com- 
mission as  A  lieutenant  being  offered  him  by  the  secretary  without  any 
solicitation  on  his  part.  His  career  has  been  traced  in  the  preceding  his- 
tory up  to  the  time  of  his  return  from  the  Mediterranean  in  1815.  For 
several  years,  after  this  he  remained  in  command  of  the  Boston  station, 
being  permitted  also  to  retain  on  board  of  his  favorite  ship,  the  Independ- 
ence, a  full  complement  of  officers  and  about  two-thirds  of  a  crew.  In 
November,  1819,  he  was  ordered  to  the  new  line-of-battle  ship  Columbus, 
and  again  sent  out  as  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  Mediterranean 
squadron.  He  returned  from  this,  his  last  cruise,  in  the  summer  of  1821. 
He  was  subsequently  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  Philadelphia 
station,  then  to  the  Boston  station,  and  then  for  three  years  was  president 
of  the  Navy  Board.  He  afterward  returned  to  the  Philadelpliia  station, 
but  in  1832,  was  again  placed  in  command  at  Boston,  where,  however, 
he  remained  but  a  short  time,  as  the  climate  seriously  affected  his  now 
declining  health.  He  therefore  returned  to  his  family  in  Philadelphia, 
where  he  reoiained  until  his  death.  About  two  hours  before  he  died, 
his  mind  began  to  wander,  and  he  called  for  his  sword  and  pistols, 
which  not  being  attended  to,  he  raised  himself  partially  in  bed,  and  de- 
manded these  instruments  with  great  vehemence,  and  ordered  that  all 
hands  should  be  called  to  board  the  enemy ! 

Though  not  in  the  order  of  time,  we  will  here  mention  the  dates  of  the 


1833.] 


NAVAL     II8TORY 


uo     -^n 


■<.v. 


deaths  of  the  older  and  more  prominent  cnptaina,  who  hft  e  b 
mentioned  in  the  main  history.* 

Com.  John  Shaw  died  in  Philadelnhia  on  the  IV  -'ii, 

1823,  nt  the  age^pf  fifty.  He  returned  from  the  connnaua  the  ,  ifii- 
terranean  squadron  in  1817,  and  afterward  commanded  at  the  Boston 
and  Charleston  stations. 

Com.  John  Rodgers  after  the  close  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain, 
served  as  president  of  the  Board  of  Naval  Commissioners  for  twenty-one 
yeara,  with  but  an  interval  of  two  years,  when  ho  was  in  command  of 
the  Mediterranean  squadron,  in  the  North  Carolina  74.  Ho  died  at 
Philadelphia  on  the  1st  of  Angust,  1838,  aged  sixty-seven  years. 

Com.  Isaac  Hull  was  employed  at  various  stations  on  shore  and  also 
on  the  Navy  Board.  He  wore  a  broad  pennant  in  the  Pacific,  and  after- 
ward in  the  Mediterranean  on  board  tho  Ohio  74.  His  death  occurred 
in  Philadelphia,  on  tho  13th  of  February,  1843,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year. 

Com.  Jacob  Jones  commanded  in  1821  in  the  Mediterranean,  and  in 
1820  in  the  Pacific.  Ho  was  also  a  navy  commissioner,  and  commanded 
at  various  navy-yards.  He  died  at  Philadelphia  on  the  3d  of  Augiist, 
1850,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age,  being  at  the  time  the  gover- 
nor of  the  Naval  Asylum. 

Com.  Isaac  Chauncey  succeeded  Bainbridge,  in  1816,  in  the  command 
of  the  Mediterranean  squadron.  He  was  never  at  sea  again,  but  per- 
formed the  usual  shore  service,  and  while  president  of  the  Navy  Board, 
died  on  the  27th  of  January,  1840. 

Com.  Jesse  D.  Elliot  was  employed  in  quite  constant  sea-service  after 
the  close  of  the  British  war.  He  commanded  the  Ontario  in  Decatur's 
squadron  in  the  war  against  Algiei-s,  and  was  successively  on  the  Brazil 
station,  and  in  command  of  the  West  India  and  of  the  Mediten-anean 
squadrons.  On  charges  in  connection  Avith  this  last  command,  he  was 
sentenced  to  a  suspension  of  four  years,  but  was  restored  before  the  ex- 
piration of  the  time.  He  died  in  command  of  the  Philadelphia  navy- 
yard,  on  the  10th  of  December,  1845,  aged  fifty-six  years. 

Cora.  Melancthon  T.  Woolsey,  who  performed  such  good  service  ou 
the  lakes,  hoisted  a  broad  pennant  on  the  Brazil  station,  toward  the  close 
of  his  life,  and  died  soon  .?fter  his  return,  in  1838,  he  being  about 
fifty-six  years  of  age. 

Com.  Lewit  Warrington  was  the  successor  of  Com.  Porter  in  the  com- 
mand of  the  naval  force  assembled  in  the  West  Indies  for  tho  suppression 
of  piracy.  He  was  for  some  time  j)residenl  of  the  Board  of  Navy  Com- 
missioners, and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Ord- 
nance and  Hydrography.  He  died  at  Washington  on  the  12th  of 
October,  1851. 

Com.  Thomas  M'Donougli  earned  iiis  laurels  early.  After  his  great 
battle  on  Lake  Champlain,  he  was  continued  in  active  duty;  but  his 
career  was  not  a  long  one.  He  died  on  the  10th  of  November,  1825, 
at  sea,  when  about  ten  days  from  Gibraltar,  being  on  his  return  from  the 
command  of  the  Mediterranean  squadron.  He  was  about  forty-two  years 
of  age  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

•  BiographieB  of  several  of  those  whose  decease  is  here  mentioned,  will  be  found  fh  Coopsr's 
LiVKB  OP  Naval  Officers,  which  includes  Dainbridge,  Sliaw,  Preble,  Sfaubrick,  Somers,  Pau) 
Jones,  Woolsey,  Perry,  Dale,  Barry,  and  a  history  of  "  Old  Ironsides." 


k. 


38 


NAVAL  IIISTORV. 


[isn.i. 


Corn.  Jhtiios  Bitldle,  it  will  Iw  romomboi'pd,  o()nimftn<kKl  a  n«v«»I  force 
affainnt  tliu  pirates  in  1H2'2.  IIu  tliud  uti  tliu  t\nl  of  rx'tolxjr,  184H,  ni 
hm  reHidonco  in  Pliiladflpliin,  not  l>ein^  in  any  coinnmncl  at  the  tinio, 
but  having  recently  returned  tVotn  the  command  uf  the  East  India  *^iiud- 
ron  and  on  the  Pacific  Htation. 

Com.  James  iJarron  never  was  Hont  to  sea  by  tlio  f^fovemment  after  liii 
unfortunato  affair  ill  the  Chertapeako.  lUn  Hii.spension  lasted  ll\»)  yeai?*, 
and  at  different  times  ho  was  in  command  at  Philadelphia  and  Norfolk, 
When  too  infirm  for  active  service,  he  retired  to  the  latter  place  to  lewdc, 
and  died  there  in  1851,  at  the  advanced  aije  of  oighty-threo  years,  lie 
held  a  commission  as  ])ost-ca|)tain  since  1 700,  and  Leaded  the  list  of 


captains  at  the  time  of  his  death. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

United  Statos  Explorlnir  Expedition— Mcut.  Wilkes  nppolntiMl  to  the  commAtul— flnlli  In  AnfiMt, 
isas— I'roKrpsii  to  Oapu  llorn— First  AiltarL'tic  criiUo— Loss  oj'tlio  Si-u  (iull— I'ldtfi-pss  to  S,*! 
ney— SfL-riml  Aiitnrt'tic  crtiUe— Peril*  anil  p»cttj»e»— IVat'ock  ainoiiK  tlio  ice— Kvlurn  to  ilia 
northwiiril— F,\tcnslv>9  expluratlons  iinioiii;  ilio  Suutli  Seu  islands — Attack  upon  Sunlit)— Mur- 
der of  Mciit.  Underwood  and  Midshipman  Henry— Soreri)  punishment  ol'the  natives- Arrival 
at  til'.'  Sandwlrli  Islands— CrulslnKS  anionjf  various  island  ((roups— Arrival  ond  aurvey*  upon 
the  north-west  const- Cruise  of  the  Peacock— Her  wreck  ut  the  Columbia  river— Hoturn  of 
the  vessels  ncrosH  tlio  Pttciilo— Itundezvuus  ut  Singapore- Course  homeward — Mutiny  on  bixtrd 
U.  8.  brig  Sumers. 

The  entire  liistory  of  the  peo])le  of  the  United  States  evinces  their  pe- 
culiar aptitude  for  maritime  piirnuits.  The  enterprise  of  no  other  nation, 
ancient  or  modern,  luis  so  rapidly  given  existence  to  so  vast  n  comnierco. 
During  the  state  of  colonial  dependence,  and  in  the  very  infancy  of 
national  independence,  the  genius  of  the  nation  took  this  direction  so 
readily,  as  to  give  promise  of  some  future  unwonted  development.  That 
promise  has  been  abundantly  ledeemed.  Every  sea  has  curled  its  foam, 
in  token  of  subjection,  under  the  conquering  ])row  of  the  American 
merchantmen.  Yet  the  nation  liad  lived  a  half  century  in  the  power 
and  prosperity  of  its  sej)arato  existence,  and  had  taken  rank  beyond  dis- 
pute beside  the  first  maritime  power  of  the  world,  before  the  govornniont 
made  any  attempts  to  investigate  the  many  obscure  points,  and  the  many 
unknown  portions  of  that  great  element  of  the  earth,  upon  which  was 
risked  so  large  a  jiroportion  of  the  wealth  of  its  subjects. 

It  was  natural  that  even  for  so  long  a  period,  it  should  modestly  lenvo 
these  undertakings  to  such  older  nations  as  could  command  the  leisnre, 
the  wealth,  and  the  science  necessary,  while  it  could  but  encourage  ita 
seamen  in  the  practical  task  of  availing  themselves  of  the  labors  of  ex- 
perienced and  scientific  navigators.  Still  it  must  certainly  be  perceived, 
that  bare  justice  to  so  important  a  branch  of  national  industry,  as  well  as 
a  noble  spirit  of  emulation  in  the  career  of  scientific  discovery,  would  at 
some  period  demand  that  a  government,  representing  so  much  mental 
vigor  and  physical  greatness  in  the  people,  should  perform  some  generouu 
and  etiicient  service  in  the  cause  of  nautical  exploration.  Such  consider- 
atioDB  have  prevailed,  and  such  a  demand  has  been  responded  to  on  tho 


(1833. 


1838.1 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


89 


(1  n  nnvnl  forco 
jtobor,  184H,  ul 
ul  at  tilt)  tiiDo, 
wt  Ittdiu  *imul- 

rnment  nflor  \m 
wtcil  thn  yi'iirs, 
lin  niul  Norfolk, 
r  pldce  to  ie»iilt«, 
hieo  yosus.  H«> 
ivdod  the  list  of 


nnnd— Si»lli  In  AnRiwt, 
dull— rioitrpHH  1(1  S*l 
lio  ke— ftetuni  to  tli* 
ick  uiioii  8ui\llb~Mur« 
of  the  native*— Arrlvul 
•Ivul  nntJ  iurvey*  iipon 
nbia  river— Hotuvii  of 
*ard— Mutiny  on  board 

,  evinces  tlieir  pe- 
f  no  other  nation, 
vast  a  commerco. 
very  infancy  of 
this  direction  so 
I'elopment.    TliiU 
19  CTirlod  its  foam, 
of  the  Ainorioan 
ury  in  the  I'ower 
rank  beyond  dis- 
•e  the  govornniont 
nts,  and  the  many 
1,  upon  which  was 
;8. 

)ld  modestly  leave 
raand  the  leisure, 
but  encourage  its 
:  the  labors  of  ex- 
linly  be  perceived, 
ndustry,  as  well  as 
iscovery,  would  at 
80  much  mental 
l)rm  some  generous 
I.     Such  consider- 
sponded  to  on  tha 


part  of  the  (government.  As  the  officers,  seamen,  and  ves«olfl  of  tlie  navy 
were  employed  in  this  expedition,  it  comes  properly  within  the  si-opo  and 
intention  of  this  work,  to  give  n  succinct  account  of  itit  courmi  and  its 
rudiillM. 

Congress,  by  a  law  of  the  18th  of  May,  18.10,  authorized  the  equip- 
ment ami  employment  of  a  portion  of  the  national  marine,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  exploring  thoHe  seas  in  which  the  wluiU-fiHliories,  as  well  as  other 
branches  of  commercial  enterpriHe,  were  pursuiul.  The  ajjpropriations 
of  money  were  liberal,  and  the  expenditures  for  the  numerous  items  of 
outfit,  nt'cessary  for  so  unusual  a  voyage,  were  made  on  the  moHt  lavish 
Kcale.  Hut  for  various  reasons,  which  need  not  hero  bo  set  forth  or  dis- 
cussed, the  organization  and  departure  of  the  expedition  were  delayed 
from  montli  to  month,  until,  indeed,  years  began  to  settle  upon  the 
.'ibortive  plan,  and  the  very  mention  of  its  ambitious  title  wouM  provoke 
ridicule.  Dillerent  otficers,  appointed  to  the  command,  succesMively  re- 
signed, and  finally  all  but  one  of  the  vessels  of  the  number  originally 
selected  were  changed.  This  state  of  things  continu<!d  until  the  spring 
of  18:{8.  On  the  20th  of  Marcli,  183H,  Charles  Wilkes,  lieutenant  in 
the  navy,  was  directed  to  assume  the  command  of  the  expedition. 

The  instructions  issued  to  him  by  the  Navy  Department,  dated  the 
11th  of  August,  1838,  indicated  the  following  objects  to  bo  aimed  at: 
"To  explore  and  survey  the  Southern  Ocean,  having  in  view  the  import- 
ant interest  of  our  commerce  embarked  in  the  whale-fisheries,  as  well  aa 
to  determine  the  existence  of  all  doubtful  islands  and  slioals;  and  to 
discover  and  accurately  fix  the  position  of  those  which  lie  in  or  near  the 
track  pursued  by  our  merchant  vessels  in  that  quarter,  and  which  may 
have  hitherto  escaped  the  observation  of  scientific  navigators." 

"  Although  the  primary  object  of  the  expedition  is  the  promotion  of 
the  great  interests  of  commerce  and  navigation,  yet  all  occasions  will  be 
titkon,  not  incompatible  with  the  great  purpose  of  the  undertaking,  to 
extend  the  bounds  of  science,  and  to  promote  the  acquisition  of  knowl- 
edge. For  the  more  successful  attainments  of  these  objects,  a  corps  of 
scientific  gentlemen,  for  the  departments  of  philology,  zoology,  concb- 
<^''-^Sy>  gc^'''^gy»  mineralogy  and  botany,  with  artists  and  a  liorticulturist, 
will  accompany  the  expedition,  and  are  placed  under  your  direction.  The 
hydrography  and  geography  of  the  various  seas  and  countries  you  may 
visit  in  the  route  pointed  out  to  you,  will  occupy  your  special  attention; 
.;nd  all  the  researches  connected  with  them,  as  well  as  Avith  astronomy, 
terrestrial  magnetism,  and  meteorology,  are  confided  exclusively  to  the 
oflicers  of  the  navy,  on  whose  zeal  and  talents  the  department  confidently 
relies  for  such  results  as  will  enable  future  navigato's  to  pass  over  the 
track  traversed  by  your  vessels,  without  fear  and  w     out  danger." 

The  track  marked  out  in  the  instructions  re((uir.  a  circumnavigation 
of  the  globe,  with  a  divergence  quite  toward  the  southern  pole,  and  so 
far  toward  the  north  as  the  western  possessions  of  the  United  States  ex- 
tended, with  frequent  crossings  of  the  Pacific  Ocean  and  extensive 
cruisings  among  its  countless  islands.  This  course  it  will  be  seen  was 
very  fully  and  faithfully  pursued  through  a  space  of  three  years  and  ten 
months. 
The  vessels  composing  the  squadron  were,  the  sloop  of  war  Vincennes, 


40 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1838. 


I- 


Lieutentint  Wilkes,  commanding  the  expedition ;  the  sloop  of  war  Pea- 
cock, William  L.  Hudson,  Lieutenant  commanding;  the  brig  of  war 
Povpoise,  Cadwalader  Ringgold,  Lieutenant  commanding;  store-ship 
Relief,  A.  K.  Long,  Lieutenant  commanding;  tenders  Sea  Gull  and 
Flying  Fish,  commanded  by  Passed-midshipmen  Reid  and  Knox.  The 
tendeis  were  originally  New  York  pilot  boats,  purchased  and  altered  for 
this  service.     The  officers  throughout  were  volunteers. 

The  larger  j)ortion  of  the  summer  was  consumed  in  the  necessary 
preparations,  and  even  then  the  outfit  was  by  no  means  complete.  On 
the  8th  of  August,  1838,  the  vessels  dropped  down  to  Hampton  Roads, 
and  on  the  1 9th  of  the  same  month  they  put  to  sea. 

In  the  body  of  this  work  many  instances  are  cited  to  enforce  tho 
nautical  principle  of  the  necessity  of  an  approximate  equality  in  the 
sailing  capacity  of  the  several  vessels  of  a  squadron  amid  actual  hostilities; 
as  the  most  unprofessional  must  perceive  that  the  fastest  sailing  vessels 
must,  for  concert  of  action,  conform  their  progress  to  the  attainments  of 
the  dullest  sailer.  This  expedition,  which,  from  the  nature  of  its  objects, 
required  a  precision  and  an  attainable  harmony  in  the  movement  of  all 
its  members  upon  a  given  point,  was  embarrassed  by  a  violation  of  the 
same  valuable  principle. 

The  store-ship  Relief  was  soon  fownd  to  be  a  dull  sailer,  and  incapable 
of  acting  with  the  rest  of  the  squadron ;  she  was  therefore  ordered  to 
proceed  alone  to  Rio  Janeiro.  Subsequently  she  proved  so  much  of  a 
hindrance,  that  from  Callao  she  was  dispatched  home,  leaving  her  sup- 
plies at  the  Sandwich  Islands  and  Sidney,  and  so  no  longer  formed  a  part 
of  the  expedition. 

The  squadron  first  sailed  for  Madeira,  stopping  there  a  week;  then  it 
took  a  southerly  course,  touched  at  the  Cape  de  Verde  Islands,  and  ar- 
rived at  Rio  on  the  24th  of  November.  In  passing  over  portions  of  tlie 
ocean  where  shoals  or  reefs  were  supposed  to  exist,  the  vessels  sailed  io 
open  order,  from  three  to  five  miles  apart ;  thus  giving  the  opportunity 
of  examining  carefully  a  space  of  about  twenty  miles  in  breadth,  and 
afl;brdiiig  means  of  fully  determining  many  obscure  points  in  hydro- 
graphy. This  course,  pursued  in  all  similar  cases,  gave  many  valuable 
results,  and  furnished  reliable  data  for  the  science  of  navigation.  After 
certain  observations,  surveys,  and  repairs,  on  the  6th  of  January,  they 
left  Rio;  stopped  at  the  Rio  Negro,  41°  south  latitude,  for  the  purpose 
of  ascertaining  the  resources  of  the  country,  and  the  inducements  it 
offered  for  trade;  doubled  Cape  Horn  on  the  16th  of  February,  and 
shortly  after  entered  Orange  Harbor,  which  had  been  appointed  as  tho 
place  of  rendezvous. 

From  this  point  was  made  the  first  attempt  at  Antarctic  discovery. 
For  this  purpose  it  was  advisable  not  to  proceed  in  squadron.  The  Vin- 
cennes  was  left  anchored  in  Orange  Harbor;  her  oflicers  employed  in 
making  surveys  and  recording  observations.  Lieut.  Com.  Wilkes  went 
on  board  the  Porpoise,  and  taking  the  Sea  Gull  with  him,  proceeded 
toward  the  South.  He  penetrated  as  far  in  that  direction  as  the  season 
would  permit.  The  weather  becoming  very  unpropitious,  the  vessels 
being  constantly  exposed  amid  fogs  and  icebergs,  and  the  equipments  of 
the  crew  proving  insufficient  for  such  severe  navigation,  he  was  unable  to 


1839. 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


41 


prosecute  the  work  of  discovery  to  any  great  extent.  Ho  coasted  alonjr 
Palmer's  Land  and  observed  its  course,  but  could  not  reach  a  high  south- 
ern latitude.  Here  they  gained  their  first  experience  of  the  exciting 
grandeur  presented  in  the  severer  forms  of  nature  in  the  polar  regions. 
Both  vessels  returned  safely  to  Orange  Harbor  about  the  close  of  Alarch. 

The  Peacock,  accompanied  by  the  Flying  Fish,  L-ore  off  in  a  south- 
westerly direction.  They  soon  separated  in  a  gale.  They  cruised,  how- 
ever, mainly  in  the  same  direction,  their  object  being  to  attain  if  possible 
the  ne  plus  ultra  of  Captain  Cook,  and  to  observe  the  changes  wbich 
might  have  occurred  in  the  appearance  of  the  ice  since  his  time.  The 
Flying  Fish  did  reach  within  sixty  railes  of  the  desired  point,  and  it 
seemed  at  one  time  that  she  would  penetrate  beyond;  but  the  fickle 
weather,  and  the  ever  shifting  islands  of  ice  soon  disappointed  that  hope. 
At  times  the  ice  fields  closed  around  her,  as  if  decreeing  her  destruction, 
but  bold  and  skillful  seamanship  accomplished  her  deliverance.  The 
Peacock  was  often  exposed  to  like  dangers,  and  her  escapes  were  alike 
wonderful.  Finding  the  season  too  fiir  advanced  for  useful  or  safe  navi- 
gation, and  the  crews  suffering  severely  from  the  unsuitable  character  of 
the  vessels  for  such  service,  they  both  turned  northward.  On  the  25th 
of  March,  to  their  mutual  joy,  they  fell  in  with  each  other,  and  sailed 
together  until  the  first  of  April,  when  the  Peacock  bore  up  for  Valparaiso, 
and  the  tender  made  her  way  to  Orange  Harbor. 

The  Relief,  in  the  mean  time,  taking  on  board  the  most  of  the  scien- 
tific gentlemen,  proceetled  toward  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  in  order  to 
gain  information  respecting  the  country.  But  having  consumed  much 
time  on  the  passage,  and  having  lost  her  anchors  while  endeavoring  to 
ride  out  a  sevei-e  and  long  gale  at  Noir  Island,  which  accident  came  very 
near  causing  the  wreck  of  the  vessel  on  a  reef  toward  which  she  drifted, 
it  was  concluded  at  a  council  of  officers,  to  steer  directly  for  Valparaiso. 

Thus  the  object  of  her  detachment  was  entirely  frustrated.  In  the  lat- 
ter pait  of  May  the  Vincennes,  Peacock,  Porpoise  and  Flying  Fish  were 
together  in  the  harbor  of  Valparaiso.  Here  they  waited  in  vain  for  the 
arrival  of  the  Sea  Gull.  This  valuable  httle  schooner  had  sailed  with 
her  consort,  the  Flying  Fish,  from  Oiange  Harbor.  A  severe  gale  came 
upon  them  the  first  night  they  were  out,  when  they  lost  sight  of  each 
other.  The  latter  vessel  regained  the  Harbor,  and  rode  out  the  gale  safely. 
But  no  account  has  ever  been  received  of  her  companion.  It  is  probable 
she  was  lost  in  the  gale.  Passed-midshipraen  J.  W.  E.  Reid,  and  F.  A. 
Bacon,  with  a  crew  of  fifteen  men,  were  lost  by  this  disaster.  These  ofticers 
had  won  excellent  characters  in  the  service,  and  their  untimely  end  could 
not  but  cause  sadness  among  their  companions  in  adventure  and  danger. 

The  squadron  next  stopped  at  Callao.  Both  in  Chili  and  Peru,  the 
officers  and  scientific  corps  were  active  in  gaining  valuable  information 
in  the  various  departments  to  which  they  were  devoted.  But  our  limits 
will  allow  us  to  give  only  an  outline  sketch  of  even  the  strictly  maritime 
labors  and  results  of  the  expedition. 

In  accoidance  with  instructions,  they  now  stretched  in  a  due  westerly 
course  across  the  Pacific,  leaving  Callao  on  the  12th  of  July.  They 
examined  various  island  groups  lying  in  their  course,  verified  some  doubtful 
points  in  hydrography,  added  largely  to  their  scientific  accumulations,  and 


42 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1840. 


arrived  at  Sidney,  New  South  Wales,  on  the  28th  of  November.  The 
commander  speaks  warmly  of  the  courtesy  with  which  they  were  re- 
ceived and  entertained  during  their  stay,  by  the  English  authorities  and 
residents. 

Preparations  were  now  made  for  another  and  more  extensive  cruise  in  the 
polar  seas.  After  all  that  could  be  done  in  the  form  of  repairs,  it  was  still 
apparent  that  the  vessels  were  but  imperfectly  fitted  for  the  trying  ordeal 
before  them.  The  Peacock,  indeed,  was  in  such  a  condition,  that  it  was 
involving  considerable  risk  to  take  her  on  so  perilous  a  voyage.  But  the 
reputation  of  the  expedition  and  the  honor  of  the  nation  were  deeply 
involved  in  the  venture,  and  properly  proved  preponderating  motives,  for 
persistence  through  painful  uncertainties. 

It  was  wisely  determined  that  the  members  of  the  scientific  corps  should 
pursue  their  researches  through  the  wide  field  opened  to  them  in  New 
Holland  and  New  Zealand,  during  the  absence  of  the  vessels. 

On  the  26th  of  December,  the  expedition  once  more  turned  toward 
the  extreme  south  which  forbids  man's  approach  by  the  savage  frown  of 
nature  and  the  gloomy  reign  of  death,  while  enticing  him  by  the  chances 
of  discovery  and  renown  amid  her  unknown  wonders.  Considerations 
relating  to  the  safety  of  the  vessels,  the  saving  of  time,  and  the  awakening 
of  a  more  active  and  promising  spirit  of  emulation,  induced  Lieutenant 
Coin.  Wilkes  to  direct  each  vessel  to  act  independently  of  her  consorts, 
when  arrived  in  the  region  of  the  designed  explorations.  The  Flying 
Fish  consequently  parted  from  the  squadron  on  the  2d,  and  the  Peacock 
on  the  3d  of  January.  The  Vinceimes  and  the  Porpoise  remained  in 
company  until  the  12th.  The  day  previous,  they  came  in  sight  of  the 
solid  barrier  of  ice  in  latitude  64°  11'  S.,  longitude  164°  63'  E.  The 
Peacock  came  up  with  the  ice  on  the  15th,  and  the  Flying  Fish  on  the 
21st,  both  more  to  the  westward  of  the  former  vessels. 

No  doubt  now  remains  of  the  existence  of  land  within  the  Antarctic 
circle.  The  testimony  of  both  French  and  English  exploring  expeditions 
confirms  the  fact^  which  it  is  claimed  the  American  expedition  first  estab- 
lished as  a  part  of  geographical  knowledge.  This  fact  is  determined  by 
repeated  and  continuous  observations  made  separately  on  board  the 
Vincennes,  the  Peacock,  and  the  Porpoise.  And  the  discovery  was  made 
some  days  before  the  officers  of  the  French  expedition  claim  to  have 
made  the  same.  The  American  vessels  coasted  some  sixty-five  degrees 
of  longitude  along  the  impenetrable  barrier  of  ice,  observing  throughout 
most  of  this  distance,  highlands  evidently  reaching  thousands  of  feet  in 
altitude,  and  covered  with  perpetual  snow.  They  met  also  other  decisive 
signs  of  contiguous  land.  All  the  evidence  sust  ''ng  the  claim,  that  these 
elevated  points  of  land  are  not  portions  of  mere  uJtached  islands  inclosed 
within  a  frozen  sea,  but  are  the  visible  parts  of  a  vast  Antarctic  continent, 
the  main  extent  undistinguishable  from  the  resplendent  snow  fringe  skirt- 
ing its  ocean  boundary.  No  human  beings  inhabit  these  regions,  and 
the  representatives  of  any  animal  tribes  are  very  few. 

It  was  not  without  great  hardships  and  perilous  exposures,  that  the 
expedition  gained  these  honors  of  the  discoverer.  All  the  vessels  suflered 
from  severe  and  prolonged  gales,  heightened  in  their  fearfulness,  and 
armed  with  unusual  elements  of  destruction,  by  the  addition  of  vast  and 


[1840. 

ember.  The 
hey  were  re- 
ithorities  and 

e  cruise  in  the 
jrs,  it  was  still 
trying  ordeal 
)n,  that  it  was 
age.  But  the 
1  were  deeply 
ig  motives,  for 

ic  corps  should 
them  in  New 
9els. 

turned  toward 
ivage  frown  of 
by  the  chances 
Considerations 
the  awakening 
jed  Lieutenant' 
)f  her  consorts, 
i.    The  Flying 
nd  the  Peacock 
se  remained  in 
in  sight  of  the 
o  53'  E.    The 
ing  Fish  on  the 

n  the  Antarctic 
ring  expeditions 
ition  first  estab- 

determined  by 

on  board  the 
overy  was  made 

claim  to  have 
xty-five  degrees 
nng  througiiout 
sands  of  feet  in 
50  other  decisive 
ilaira,  that  these 

islands  inclosed 
.arctic  continent, 
low  fringe  skirt- 
ese  regions,  and 

)Osures,  that  the 
e  vessels  sutiered 
fearfulness,  and 
ition  of  vast  and 


n40.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


4& 


innumerable  icebergs,  and  masses  of  floe-ice.  It  must  be  observed  also 
that  the  temperature  was  most  of  the  time  below  the  freezing  point,  and 
that  mists,  fogs,  sleet  and  snow  storms,  were  relieved  by  but  occasional 
clear  and  sunny  days. 

The  Flying  Fish  was  soon  compelled  to  return  northward.  Her  crew 
was  so  reduced  by  sickness  that  they  were  unable  to  reef  the  foresail, 
and  consequently  the  vassel  was  obliged  to  carry  the  whole  sail  during  a 
gale  of  several  days'  duration,  which  caused  her  to  labor  heavily  and  to 
leak  so  much,  that  it  was  necessary  to  keep  the  pumps  going  constantly. 
The  imperative  demands  of  safety,  constrained  the  officers  to  retrace  their 
steps  to  a  more  genial  clime. 

The  Peacock,  however,  ran  the  gauntlet  of  dangere  in  the  most  heroio 
and  successful  manner.  Her  commander,  in  order  if  possible  to  make 
more  accurate  determinations  respecting  the  land  seen  in  the  distance,  ran 
into  a  deep  bay  filled,  with  a  large  number  of  icebergs.  He  obtained 
soundings  in  three  hundred  and  twenty  fathoms,  thus  clearly  establishing 
the  proximity  of  land.  The  dangers  which  now  brouglit  the  ship  to  the 
very  verge  of  destruction,  can  best  be  detailed  in  the  language  employed 
by  Lieutenant  Cora.  Hudson,  in  his  report  to  the  department.  "  While 
further  pursuing  the  object  of  our  search  in  this  vicinity  on  the  morning 
of  the  24th,  and  endeavoring  to  clear  some  ice  ahead  of  us,  the  ship 
made  a  sternboard,  and  came  in  contact  with  a  large  piece  of  ice,  which  . 
carried  away  one  of  the  wheel-ropes,  wrenched  the  neck  of  the  rudder, 
and  rendered  it  useless. 

"  We  immediately  commenced  working  ship  with  tho  sails  and  ice- 
anchors  into  a  more  open  sea.  In  this  we  were  successful  for  a  time, 
until  an  increase  of  wind  and  a  change  in  its  direction,  brought  in  upon 
us  masses  of  ice  for  miles  in  extent,  which  completely  beset  the  ship,  fin- 
ished the  work  of  destruction  on  our  rudder,  and  forced  us  into  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  an  ice-island  some  seven  or  eight  miles  in  extent,  with 
an  elevation  equaling  our  topgallant-masthead,  and  its  upper  portion  in- 
clining toward  the  ship.  In  this  situation  we  furled  all  but  the  fore-and- 
aft  sails,  and  hung  by  our  ice  anchors. 

"  Fortunately,  between  us  and  a  portion  of  this  island  lay  a  large  piece 
of  ice,  one  end  of  which  held  us  by  the  counter,  until  forced  beyond  it 
by  the  pressing  masses  of  ice  outside,  which  started  our  anchors  and  set  us 
stern  on  to  the  island,  cari-ying  away  our  spanker-boom  and  stern-davits, 
and  forcing  the  starboard  quarter-deck  bulwarks  in  end  some  three  or 
four  inches,  jamming  a  signal-gun  hard  and  fiist  in  the  gangway,  and 
breaking  ott"  the  bulwark  stanchions  on  that  side  of  ^the  quarter-deck. 
We  took  this  occasion  to  cant  her  with  the  jib,  into  a  narrow  channel 
alongside  the  island,  and  with  the  help  of  other  sails,  passed  by  a  portion 
of  it  without  further  injury  to  our  spurs,  until  an  opportunity  presented 
of  forcing  her  into  a  small  opening  in  the  ice,  with  the  head  toward 
the  sea. 

"  Our  rudder,  which  we  unshipped  and  got  in  upon  deck  while  w^edgev' 
in  the  ice,  came  in  over  the  side  in  two  pieces,  the  head  and  neck  entirely 
broken  oft',  with  the  two  midship  pintles,  and  we  shortly  afterward 
found  the  uppr  >  and  lower  braces  gone  from  the  stern-post.  Towa»-d 
midnight  the  sea  Was  increasing,  accompanied  with  snow,  with  every 


44 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1840. 


■I 

! 


e 


*-■ 


indication  of  a  gale  from  seaward ;  and  the  ice,  with  which  We  were  con- 
tinually in  contact,  or  actually  jammed,  more  formidable  in  character, 
rapidly  accumulating  outside  of  us,  and  forming  a  compact  mass.  I 
found,  as  we  were  nearing  the  open  sea,  that  we  had  been  carried  so  far 
to  leeward  by  the  ice,  as  to  be  in  great  danger  of  taking  up  our  last  resi- 
dence in  the  barrier,  amongst  bergs  and  islands  of  ice.  There  was  there- 
fore no  chance  left,  but  to  force  her  out,  or  grind  and  thump  the  ship  to 
pieces  in  the  attempt. 

"  Aided  by  a  kind  Providence,  we  reached  an  open  space  on  the  mor- 
ning of  the  25th,  after  having  beat  off  the  gripe  of  the  ship,  &c.;  and 
at  meridian  the  carpenters  had  so  far  secured  our  rudder  that  it  was 
again  shipped,  in  the  two  remaining  braces  left  on  the  stern-post.  We 
were  yet  surrounded  by  ice  and  icebergs,  in  a  bay  some  thirty  miles  in 
extent,  from  which  no  outlet  could  be  seen  from  the  mast-head.  At  mid- 
night, however,  we  found  a  passage,  about  half  a  mile  in  width,  between 
some  bergs  and  field-ice." 

Though  having  gained  the  open  sea  in  safety,  the  ship  was  so  dam- 
aged, as  to  require  the  commander,  in  the  exercise  of  common  prudence, 
to  steer  directly  for  Sidney.  On  examination  for  repairs,  it  was  found 
that  the  action  of  the  ice  had  ground  the  stem  off"  to  within  an  inch  and 
a  half  of  the  wood  ends  of  the  planking ;  thus  revealing  the  very  narrow 
escape  that  had  been  effected. 

The  Vincennes,  in  the  persevering  efforts  of  her  commander  to  reach 
and  examine  the  land,  also  became  repeatedly  involved  in  the  wide  fields 
of  floating  ice.  Gales  were  encountered  in  such  situations,  which  drove 
the  ship  along  the  borders  of  the  huge  moving  masses,  with  a  velocity 
which  would  have  caused  instant  destruction,  had  not  the  raanagen)ent 
been  both  skillful  and  fortunate.  The  Porpoise  also  encountered  the  same 
difficulties,  which  must  ever  characterize  polar  navigation,  but  was  able 
successfully  to  carry  out  her  instructions,  and  pushed  on  as  far  as  longi- 
tude 100°  E.,  and  latitude  64°  15'  S.,  from  which  point  she  also  com- 
menced her  return.  During  the  cruise  along  this  lonely  coast,  her  com- 
mander reports  a  most  surprising  instance  of  national  envy  and  jealousy. 
On  the  30th  of  January  two  vessels  were  discovered,  which  proved  to  be 
French  discovery  ships  under  Captain  D'Urville.  Lieut.  Cora.  Ringgold 
says:  "Desirous  of  speaking,  and  exchanging  the  usual  and  customary 
compliments  incident  to  naval  life,  I  closed  with  them,  designing  to  pass 
within  hail,  under  the  flag-ship's  stern.  When  within  short  musket-shot, 
my  intentions  too  evident  to  excite  a  doubt,  so  far  from  a  reciprocity  being 
evinced,  I  saw,  with  surprise,  sail  made  on  board  the  flag-ship.  With- 
out a  moment's  delay,  T.  hauled  down  my  colors,  and  bore  up  on  ray 
course." 

The  Vincennes  penetrated  as  far  as  longitude  97°  E.;  the  weather  then 
evincing  that  the  short  and  doubtful  reign  of  the  Antarctic  summer  was 
over,  she  finally  turned  away  from  the  cheerless  coast. 

The  results  of  this  cruise  ai-e  certainly  honorable  to  the  skill,  vigilance, 
enterprise,  and  prudence  of  the  officei's,  and  to  the  cheerful  endurance 
and  prompt  obedience  of  the  crews,  of  all  the  vessels.  The  reputation 
of  the  American  navy  was  augmented  by  this,  the  first  attempt  in  a  new 
field  of  effort,  in  which  a  weighty  responsibility  was  met  by  a  vigorous 


I 


[1840. 

;h  Vye  were  con- 
le  in  character, 
inpact  mass.  I 
en  carried  so  far 
up  our  last  resi- 
rhere  was  there- 
ump  the  ship  to 

»ace  on  the  mor- 
e  ship,  &c.;  and 
dder  that  it  was 
stern-post.  We 
9  thirty  miles  in 
-head.  At  mid- 
Q  width,  between 

ihip  was  so  dam- 
)ramon  prudence, 
airs,  it  was  found 
ithin  an  inch  and 
*  the  very  narrow 

Timander  to  reach 
in  the  wide  fields 
jons,  which  drove 
es,  with  a  velocity 
the  management 
countered  the  same 
tion,  hut  was  able 
on  as  far  as  longi- 
)int  she  also  com- 
y  coast,  her  com- 
envy  and  jealousy, 
lich  proved  to  bfl 
t.  Cora.  Ringgold 
I  and  customary 
,  designing  to  pass 
short  musket-shot, 
a  reciprocity  being 
flag-ship.     With- 
bore  up  on  ray 

the  weather  then 
arctic  summer  was 

the  skill,  vigilance, 
jheerful  endurance 
The  reputation 
t  attempt  in  a  new 
met  by  a  vigorous 


1840.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


45 


exercise  of  those  moral  qualities,  which  had  been  developed  by  previous 
more  appropriate  trials. 

The  squadron  found  constant  occupation  during  the  ensuing  summer 
in  surveying  and  exploring  duties,  amid  the  numerous  islands  of  the 
Southern  Archipelago.  New  Zealand,  the  Friendly  Islands,  and  the 
Fejee  Group  were  visited  for  these  purposes.  The  extent  of  labor  per- 
formed may  be  estimated  when  the  commander  states,  that  one  hundred 
and  fifty-four  islands,  and  fifty  detatched  reefs  were  surveyed,  and  besides 
this,  numerous  harbors  were  surveyed  and  sounded.  Nor  was  there  any 
want  of  effort  and  success  in  gaining  useful  information  of  all  kinds  re- 
lating to  commerce,  in  enlarging  the  collections  illustrating  the  various 
branches  of  natural  science,  and  in  obtaining  full  acquaintance  with  the 
character,  the  manners,  the  modes  of  life,  and  the  moral  condition  of  the 
inhabitants,  thus  making  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  science  of 
Ethnology. 

Though  prosecuting  a  work  of  peace,  and  especially  desirous  of  estab- 
lishing permanent  relations  of  amity  with  tlie  barbarous  tribes  of  the 
Pacific,  in  order  to  the  greater  secui-ity  of  commerce,  still,  during  its  stay 
in  the  Fejee  Group,  the  expedition  w«o  under  the  necessity  of  twice  put- 
ting in  exercise  its  military  power.  In  July  a  surveying  party,  under 
Lieutenant  Perry  in  a  launch  and  Mr.  Knox  in  a  first  cutter,  ran  into 
Sualib  bay  for  shelter  during  a  storm.  In  endeavoring  to  beat  out  again 
the  cutter  ran  on  a  reef  at  low  tide,  and  it  was  found  impossible  to  get 
her  off.  The  natives  in  great  numbers  and  well  armed,  soon  collected 
near,  and  commenced  a  serious  attack.  The  ammunition  in  the  cutter 
being  all  wet,  and  the  launcli  being  unable  to  render  any  effisclive  assist- 
ance in  repelling  the  savages,  the  crew  abandoned  the  boat,  and  went  on 
board  the  launch.  On  the  12th  the  launch  rejoined  the  Vincennes  and 
Peacock.  Immediately  the  schooner  and  eight  boats  from  the  ships, 
with  an  extra  complement  of  men,  under  the  immediate  command  of 
Lieutenants  Wilkes  and  Hudson,  proceeded  to  inflict  merited  punishment 
upon  the  natives.  They  entered  the  bay  and  cautiously  marched  to  the 
principal  village,  meeting  with  no  resistance,  though  the  inhabitants  of 
this  island  were  unusually  well  supplied  with  fire-arms,  and  had  the  ad- 
vantage of  a  good  position,  from  which  they  might  have  inflicted  con- 
siderable injury  on  the  Americans.  The  town,  consisting  of  about  sixty 
slender  huts,  was  burned,  and  the  savages  were  taught  a  salutary  lesson, 
without  the  loss  of  any  lives.  The  cutter  was  recovered,  but  property 
in  it,  to  the  value  of  a  thousand  dollars,  was  stolen. 

A  tragical  affair  occurred  during  the  latter  part  of  July,  at  Malolo,  an 
island  of  the  same  group.  Lieut.  Underwood  with  a  party  landed  on 
this  island,  during  a  survey  carried  on  in  two  of  the  boats  of  the  squad- 
ron, under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Alden,  for  the  purpose  of  ascending 
a  height  to  look  for  the  Porpoise.  He  was  soon  recalled,  in  consequence 
of  some  suspicious  movements  among  the  natives,  bringing  with  him  a 
young  native,  who  was  retained  as  a  hostage.  The  next  morning  the 
same  oflScer  landed  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  provisions.  The  natives 
for  some  reason  manifested  considerable  reluctance  to  trading,  and  Lieut. 
Underwood  and  party  remained  some  length  of  time  on  shore  in  unsuc- 
cessful attempts  at  negotiation.    In  the  mean  time  Midshipman  Henry 


46 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1840. 


i 


fs 


m 


desired,  and  was  allowed  to  join  those  on  shore.  The  natives  now  began 
to  collect  in  greater  numbers,  and  evidently  were  not  in  a  friendly  mood. 
■  The  symptoms  of  an  attack  became  so  manifest,  that  Lieut  Under- 
wood called  his  party  together  and  ordered  a  retreat  to  the  boat.  At 
the  same  time  the  hostage  suddenly  jumped  out  of  Lieut.  Alden's  boat 
and  commenced  running  toward  the  shore.  A  midshipman  fired  over 
his  head,  but  this  did  not  stop  his  escape.  The  report  of  fire-arms  was 
heard  on  shore,  and  it  became  evident  to  those  in  the  boats  that  their 
companions  were  engaged  in  a  serious  conflict  with  an  overpowering 
number  of  savages.  They  pushed  for  the  land,  and  as  soon  as  their  fire- 
arms bore  effectively,  the  savages  disappeared  in  a  hasty  retreat.  But 
the  murderous  deed  had  been  consummated.  On  landing  they  found 
one  seaman  badly  wounded,  and  Lieut.  Underwood  and  Midshipman 
Henry  lying  piostrate  near  the  beach.  The  officers  in  a  few  moments 
expired  in  the  arms  of  their  friends;  and  their  bodies,  rescued  from  the 
revolting  horrors  of  cannibalism,  were  sadly  borne  off  to  the  Flying  Fish, 
which  was  a  few  miles  distant.  They  were  interred  on  one  of  the  small 
sand  islands  in  the  vicinity,  and  all  possible  precautions  adopted  to  save 
their  graves  from  being  violated  by  the  savages. 

This  unprovoked  massacre  called  for  stern  retribution ;  and  the  pun- 1 
ishment  was  inflicted  with  certainly  adequate  severity.  Lieutenant  Com. 
Wilkes  was  himself  at  this  time  on  board  the  Flying  Fish,  and  the  brig 
Porpoise  was  also  now  in  company.  There  were  two  towns,  Sualib  and 
Arro,  situated  upon  opposite  sides  of  the  island.  The  party  which  was 
to  attack  and  destroy  these,  consisted  of  seventy  officers  and  men,  and 
was  placed  under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant  Commandant  Ringgold.  The 
party  in  the  boats,  intended  to  cut  off  escape  from  the  island  and  to  co- 
operate with  the  former  party,  was  led  by  Lieutenant  Com.  Wilkes, 

The  first  party  landed  without  opposition  on  the  south-east  point  of 
the  island,  destoyed  the  plantations  in  their  course,  and  crossing  over  the 
high  land,  came  in  sight  of  Sualib,  situated  on  the  southern  shore.  Here 
it  was  found  that  the  natives  were  mostly  assembled  with  the  intention 
of  defending  themselves  by  all  means  possible  to  them;  and  their  prep- 
arations and  position  were  not  to  be  despised,  even  by  disciplined  troops. 
They  evideatly  expected  some  punishment  for  the  bloody  deed,  and  had 
retreated  to  their  stronghold.  The  village  was  surrounded  entirely  by  a 
strong  stockade  of  cocoa-nut  trees,  placed  a  few  feet  apart,  and  filled  be- 
tween with  exceedingly  close  and  substantial  wicker-work.  On  the 
outside  of  this  was  a  wide  diteh,  filled  with  water;  and  on  the  inside  a 
dry  ditch,  in  which  the  defenders  were  quite  safely  intrenched,  while 
they  shot  through  the  loopholes  in  the  palisade.  The  savages  wore  very 
confident  in  the  impregnability  of  their  fortress,  for  they  received  the 
advancing  Americans  with  shouts  and  expressions  of  defiance.  They 
possessed  quite  a  number  of  muskets,  as  well  as  their  ordinary  weapons. 
Almost  the  entire  population  were  within  the  inclosure,  and  the  women 
and  children  were  as  defiant  and  active  in  defence  as  the  men.  Knowing 
that  an  assault  must  be  attended  with  some  loss,  even  though  conducted 
against  undisciplined  troops,  the  commander  wisely  .attacked  from  such  a 
distaice  as  his  means  ^ould  permit.  A  sharp  contest  of  about  fifteen 
minutes  was  maintained,  during  which  a  chief  and  six  of  the  savages 


'  t 


1840.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


47 


wore  killed,  and  the  houses  within  were  fired  by  a  rocket  The  natives, 
convinced  of  the  superiority  of  their  assailants,  and  terrified  at  a  confla- 
gration among  their  bamboo  huts,  which  they  could  not  extinguish,  began 
to  escape  through  a  gate,  leading  toward  the  sea,  in  the  utmost  conster- 
nation and  confusion.  They  were  allowed  to  retreat  without  further 
attack.  A  few  of  the  Americans  were  wounded,  but  only  one  severel;/. 
The  town  was  entirely  consumed. 

The  party  now  marched  northward  across  the  island  to  cooperate  with 
the  boat  party  against  Arro.  The  latter  reached  Arro  first,  and  without 
resistance  set  fire  to  and  destroyed  it.  While  these  operations  were  going 
on.  Lieutenant  Emmons  chased  five  canoes,  containing  about  forty  native 
warriors.  When  overtaken  they  offered  fight  and  made  a  resolute  resist- 
ance. But  four  of  them  were  finally  captured,  the  other  escaping.  The 
next  day  the  whole  force  from  the  vessels  assembled  on  a  hill,  and  received 
a  large  part  of  the  population  of  the  island,  who  came  to  sue  for  pardon 
in  the  most  beseeching  and  abject  manner,  thus  acknowledging,  according 
to  their  own  form  and  custom,  that  they  were  conquered,  and  were  justly 
punished  for  their  murder  of  the  officers. 

On  this  part  of  his  conduct,  Lieutenant  Com.  Wilkes,  in  his  narrative, 
makes  the  following  remarks,  which  are  entitled  to  careful  and  candid 
consideration :  "  The  punishment  inflicted  on  the  natives  was  no  doubt 
severe :  but  I  cannot  view  it  as  unmerited,  and  the  extent  to  which  it  wa» 
carried  was  neither  dictated  by  cruelty  nor  revenge,  I  thought  that 
they  had  been  long  enough  allowed  to  kill  and  eat  with  impunity,  every 
defenceless  white  that  fell  into  their  hands,  either  by  accident  or  misfor- 
tune, and  that  it  was  quite  time,  as  their  intercourse  with  our  countrymen 
on  their  adventurous  voyages  was  becoming  more  frequent,  to  make  the 
latter  more  secure.  I  desired  to  teach  the  savages  that  it  was  not  weakness 
or  fear  that  had  thus  far  stayed  our  hands;  I  was  aware,  too,  that  they 
had  ridiculed  and  raisunderatood  the  lenity,  with  which  they  had  hereto- 
fore been  treated  by  both  the  French  and  English  men-of-war." 

On  the  11th  of  August,  the  expedition  left  the  Fejee  Islands,  on  its 
way  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  where  it  now  became  necessary  to  seek  the 
supplies,  which  had  been  left  by  the  store-ship  Relief,  the  crew  having 
been  already  on  short  allowance  for  some  time.  The  vessels  pursued 
separate  courses,  in  order  that  more  islands  might  be  examined  on  the 
way,  and  the  existence  of  some  doubtful  ones  be  det'  mined.  In  October 
the  vessels  were  again  reunited  at  Honolulu,  island  of  Oahu.  As  the 
time  for  which  the  crews  had  enlisted  was  nearly  expired,  and  the  expe- 
dition in  order  to  accomplish  all  its  objects  must  be  absent  from  home 
longer  than  was  originally  intended,  it  became  necessary  to  enter  into 
new  arrangements  with  the  men.  The  most  of  them  reentered  the 
service,  and  the  places  of  the  few  who  preferred  returning  home,  were 
supplied  by  natives,  under  the  sanction  of  the  governor. 

The  year  now  drawing  to  its  close,  it  was  deemed  useless  to  undertake 
the  exploration  of  the  north-west  coast  of  America,  which  was  a  part  of 
the  service  ordered,  until  the  ensuing  spring.  Wo  therefore  find  the 
vessels  employed  during  the  winter  in  surveys  of  various  groups  of  islands, 
of  importance  as  lying  in  the  track  of  the  whalers,  as  far  south  as  the 
Society  Islands,  and  westward  to  the  Kingsmill  Group;  while  the 


m    '.-J: 


I  I 


48 


NAVAL  HiarORY. 


[1841. 


I 


commander  with  the  Vincennes  and  accompnnitxl  by  the  scientific  corps 
made  extensive  tours  around  and  through  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

These  hitter  islands  deserved  special  notice  at  the  hands  of  an  Ameri- 
can expedition,  because  they  constitute  the  liiost  natural  and  valuable 
stopping  place  for  American  shipping  in  tlio  Pacific,  and  because  a  moral 
bond  unites  them  most  happily  with  the  Western  Republic,  as  the  origin 
of  a  philanthropy  and  a  Christian  bonovolonce,  whence  have  arisen,  by 
the  blessing  of  God,  their  incipient  civilization,  their  recognized  national 
independence,  and  their  wondrous  religious  dovulopnient.  In  prosecuting 
these  researches,  Lieutenant  Com.  Wilkes,  with  ii  i)arty  of  officers  and 
men,  accomplished  an  ascent  of  the  noted  volcanic  mountain,  Mauna  Loa, 
on  the  island  of  Hawaii.  On  the  very  sunnnit  of  this  noble  mountain, 
at  an  altitude  of  upward  of  thirteen  thousand  feet,  an  observatory  station 
was  established  especially  with  reference  to  the  motions  of  the  pendulum, 
and  amid  the  barrenness,  the  snow  storms,  and  tha  various  discomforts 
of  such  a  height,  and  unusual  fatigues  inoidynt  to  a  rarefied  atmosphere, 
a  series  of  observations  was  continued  through  three  weeks.  But  all 
these  toils  were  amply  compensated  for,  in  tho  subhuiity  of  the  prospects 
enjoyed,  and  by  an  opportunity  of  examining  the  most  grand  and 
wonderful  volcanic  craters  in  the  world. 

The  Porpoise  having  returned  in  March,  and  beon  subjected  to  neces- 
sary repairs,  sailed,  in  company  with  the  Vinconnea,  from  the  harbor  of 
Honolulu,  on  the  5th  of  April,  18-41.  In  twenty-two  days  these  ves- 
sels were  off  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  river;  but  the  con- 
dition of  the  bar  at  the  time  induced  Lieutenant  Com.  Wilkes  to  proceed 
directly  to  the  north,  to  attend  to  contemplated  surveys  in  the  watei-s 
adjoining  the  southern  part  of  Vancouver  s  Island.  These  surveying 
duties  were  very  thoroughly  performed.  Two  oxpoditions  were  also  fitted 
out  for  the  interior;  one  of  which  crossed  over  to  the  Columbia  river, 
and  visited  the  stations  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  at  Astoria  and 
Vancouver,  and  the  other  penetrated  through  the  country,  to  a  point 
higher  up  on  the  Columbia,  These  tours  have  ndded  much  to  the  knowl- 
edge of  a  portion  of  the  extensive  territory  of  Oregon. 

In  the  midst  of  these  occupations  at  the  north,  the  commander  was 
recalled  to  the  Columbia  river  by  the  news  of  the  unfortunate  loss  of  the 
Peacock,  whose  course,  until  its  abrupt  tormlnation,  we  must  now  trace. 
On  the  2d  of  December,  1840,  accompanied  by  the  tender  B'lying  Fish, 
she  left  Oahu.  Her  cruise  extended  through  several  groups  lying  to  the 
Bouth  and  west  of  the  Sai-dwich  Islands.  Upsides  searching  for  uncer- 
tain and  detached  islands,  she  visited  the  Sainoun  Islands,  Bowditch 
Island,  Ellice's  and  Kiugsmill  Group,  and  by  this  cii-cuitous  itiute  again 
reaching  Oahu  about  the  middle  of  Juna,  1841,  she  touched  for  supplies 
and  bore  away  for  Columbia  river.  On  this  cruise  she  sailed  over  nine- 
teen thousand  miles  of  ocenn.  At  one  of  the  Sumoan  Islands,  Lieut. 
Com.  Hudson  made  a  demand  for  the  surrender  of  a  native  who  had 
murdered  a  white  man.  In  violation  of  the  ivgultttions  assented  to  dur- 
ing a  former  visit  of  Ihe  expedition,  the  chiefs  refused  to  give  hira  up,  and 
at  the  same  timo  sent  insulting  messages  to  the  Americana,  and  bid  defi- 
ance to  their  military  power.  Hence  it  beeunio  necessary  to  give  another 
of  those  painful  lessons,  which  had  already  beon  repeated  twice  at  other 


I       <Q|. 


<  I 


[1841. 

icientifto  corps 
«lnncls. 

of  an  Ameri- 
and  valuable 
ocause  a  moral 
3,  as  the  origin 
lave  arisen,  by 
rnized  national 
In  prosecuting 
of  officers  and 
in,  Manna  Loa, 
loble  mountain, 
ervntory  station 
'  the  pendulum, 
3U8  discomforts 
led  atmosphere, 
weeks.    But  all 
of  the  prospects 
lost  grand  and 

bjected  to  neces- 
m  the  harbor  of 

days  these  ves- 
er ;  but  the  con- 
Vilkes  to  proceed 
lya  in  the  watei-s 
These  sujveying 
IS  were  also  fitted 

Columbia  river, 
y  at  Astoria  and 
mtry,  to  a  point 
Lich  to  the  knowl- 

commander  was 
tuniite  loss  of  the 
)  must  now  trace, 
iider  Flying  Fish, 
•oups  lying  to  the 
k\ching  for  uncer- 
^slands,  Bowditch 
uitous  iHiute  again 
uched  for  supplies 
a  sailed  over  nine- 
au  Islands,  Lieut. 

a  native  who  had 
ts  assented  to  dur- 
►  give  him  up,  and 
cans,  and  bid  defi- 

17  1*5  give  another 

ited  twice  at  other 


1841.J 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


49 


islands.  Lieut.  Com.  Hudson  brought  the  broadside  of  the  Poaoook  to 
bear  upon  the  land,  to  cover  the  party  making  an  attack  in  the  boats. 
After  all  their  bravado  no  natives  were  to  be  found,  and  the  party 
having  landed,  burned  their  towns  without  opposition.  The  usual  in- 
fo ation  respecting  the  condition  and  disposition  of  the  natives  wivi 
gathered,  the  prospects  for  commerce  wore  observed,  and  surveys  oulculatod 
to  be  of  service  to  mariners  were  made. 

At  Drummond's  Island,  one  of  the  Kingsmill  Group,  a  serious  difH- 
culty  arose  with  the  treacherous  natives,  which  led  agam  to  the  wxerciso 
of  military  force,  and  in  this  case  to  the  loss  of  life.  A  large  party, 
under  Lieut.  Con».  Hudson  himself,  was  on  shore  for  purposes  of  curiosity. 
The  natives  sought  to  separate  and  entice  the  men  in  diti'orout  directions. 
They  also  pilfered  loose  articles  about  the  persons  of  the  visitors,  and 
finally  made  actual  hostile  demonstrations.  Wishing  to  avoid  a  collision, 
Lieut.  Com,  Hudson  called  the  men  together  and  took  to  his  boats.  It  wjis 
now  found  that  one  man  was  missing.  Supposing  that  ho  had  been  en- 
ticed away,  and  would  be  brought  back  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  a  liberal 
ransom,  Lieut.  Com.  Hudson  returned  to  his  ship.  The  next  day  nothing 
could  be  learned  respecting  the  missing  seaman,  and  offera  of  raiusoiu  wei-e 
not  regarded.  As  these  islandei-s  were  more  ferocious  and  less  hanpitable 
than  any  previously  visited,  it  was  now  concluded  that  the  man  had  been 
treacherously  murdered.  It  was  determined,  therefore,  to  make  a  strong 
demonstration,  so  as  either  to  ransom  him  if  alive,  or  failing  in  this,  to 
inflict  a  severe  punishment.  Having  waited  another  day,  anil  not  a  canoo 
from  this  part  of  the  island  coming  near  the  ship,  Lieut.  Com.  Hudson 
ordered  the  tender  to  a  position,  where  she  could  cover  the  landing  of  tho 
attacking  party*  This  consisted  of  eighty  men  in  seven  boats,  under 
the  command  of  Lieutenant  Walker. 

The  savages,  to  the  number  of  five  hundred  and  upward,  fearlessly 
awaited  tbeir  approach  on  the  beach,  brandishing  their  weaponx,  and 
showin^T  a  determination  to  stand  their  ground.  A  parley,  with  n  re- 
newed offer  of  ransom,  was  unavailing.  A  few  shots  wore  then  tirod, 
bringing  down  some  of  the  chiefs,  and  a  rocket  wjis  discharged  into  tho 
crowd.  The  latter  weapon  caused  some  temporary  confusion,  but  they 
soon  rallied  and  showed  a  determination  to  offer  a  serious  resistance, 
being  evidently  naturally  warlike,  and  also  over  confident  in  their  num- 
bere.  The  order  was  therefore  given  for  a  general  discharge  of  musketry. 
This  produced  the  desired  eft'ect,  for  they  retreated,  though  somewhat 
reluctantly,  and  left  the  beach  open  to  the  landing  of  tho  troops.  The 
council-house  and  town  were  soon  reduced  to  ashes,  and  the  narty  re- 
embarked  without  any  loss.  Twelve  of  the  natives  wore  killed,  and 
about  three  hundred  houses  burnt,  with  all  the  property  in  them,  whicli 
the  inhabitants,  over  sanguine  of  victory,  had  not  removed. 

Lieut.  Com.  Hudson,  finding  that  all  the  objects  of  his  cruise  could 
not  be  accomplished  in  the  time  at  his  disposal,  was  unable  to  proceed 
further  to  the  westward,  as  he  had  intended,  but  was  obliged  to  shape 
his  course  toward  the  coast  of  Oregon,  in  order  to  cooperate  in  tho  sur- 
veys of  that  region.  On  the  18th  of  July  he  attempted  the  difficult 
task  of  entering  the  Columbia  river.  The  mouth  of  this  groat  river  on 
the  western  slope  of  our  continent,  is  noted  for  the  difficulties  it  presonia 


mf 


i 


60 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1841. 


to  tho  navigator.  Tho  distance  between  the  headlands  is  several  niile^ 
making  it  well-nigh  impossible  to  indicate  any  exact  bearings;  au  exten- 
sive bur  stretches  across  tlie  entrance,  on  which  tho  mighty  swell  of  the 
Pacific  is  constantly  breaking,  and  over  which  tides  and  cross-tides  rush 
with  unusual  strength  and  velocity ;  and  at  the  time  the  Peacock  en- 
deavored to  enter,  there  were  no  pilots  worthy  of  the  name.  Lieut. 
Com.  Hudson  was  furnished  with  the  best  sailing  directions  which  could 
be  obtained,  and  himself  undertook  to  pilot  his  vessel  in.  Steering  for 
the  point  where  the  water  appeared  smooth,  the  ship  proceeded  for  a  few 
minutes,  when  she  struck  on  the  bar.  Every  effort  was  directly  made 
to  work  her  off,  but  the  sea  kept  driving  her  farther  on.  The  wind  now 
rose,  and  tho  tide  began  to  ebb,  thus  producing  a  sea,  in  which  no  boat 
could  live,  and  which  threatened  soon  to  thump  the  ship  to  pieces  on  the 
bar.  It  became  necessary  to  work  the  pumps,  the  vessel  beginning  to 
leak  badly.  During  the  night  tho  sea  made  complete  breaches  over  her, 
keeping  her  deck  constantly  flooded.  In  the  morning,  however,  it  wont 
down  somewhat,  so  a.s  to  admit  of  hoisting  out  the  boats,  which  now 
began  to  carry  the  crew,  and  a  few  of  the  valuables  ashore.  They  made 
two  trips  during  the  morning,  and  landed  all  but  Lieut.  Com.  Hudson 
and  Lieut.  Walker  and  some  thirty  men.  By  noon  the  sea  rose  again, 
so  as  to  render  it  impossible  for  the  boata  to  reach  the  ship.  In  making 
this  attempt  one  of  them  was  turned  over  end  for  end,  and  the  crew 
rescued  only  through  the  nearness  of  the  other  boats.  Penceiving  this, 
Lieut  Com.  Hudson  made  signal  for  the  boats  to  return  to  the  shore. 

The  ship  was  now  a  thorough  wreck ;  her  masts  cut  away,  tlie  water 
up  to  her  berth-deck,  and  tho  sea  beating  upon  the  helpless  hull  with 
blows  that  told  of  a  speedy  ruin.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the 
officera  in  cl  ^rge  of  the  boats  were  able  to  get  them  alongside  the  ship, 
when  Lieut.  Com.  Hudson  and  his  remaining  companions  were  borne 
joyfully  to  the  shore.  In  the  morning  no  more  could  be  seen  of  the 
Peacock,  which  had  survived  so  many  perils  amid  polar  ice-fields  and 
tropical  reefs.  Tho  crew,  of  course,  were  landed  in  a  very  destitute  con- 
dition. They  moved  up  to  Astoria  and  encamped,  where  tho  stores  for 
the  squadron  had  been  deposited  in  advance,  which  furnished  them  with 
food;  while,  through  the  kindness  of  the  agent  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
Company,  they  wore  provided  with  clothing.  * 

The  loss  of  so  important  a  vessel  necessarily  compelled  some  changes 
in  plans.  An  American  brig,  at  the  time  in  the  river,  was  purchased  on 
favorable  terms,  and  taken  into  the  service  under  the  name  of  the  Oregon. 
This  accommodated  a  portion  of  the  crew  of  the  Peacock,  while  the  rest 
were  distributed  among  the  other  vessels.  The  Vincennes  was  sent  to 
San  Francisco,  to  survey  that  harbor,  and  the  river  Sacramento.  A 
party  was  also  dispatched  over  land,  to  proceed  down  the  same  river  and 
rejoin  at  San  Francisco.  Lieutenant  Com.  Wilkes  transfen-ed  his  flag  to 
the  Porpoise,  which,  with  the  Oregon,  engaged  in  the  survey  of  the 
Columbia  as  far  as  navigable.  This  survey  being  accomplished,  the 
vessels  were  again  reunited  in  the  spacious  harbor  of  San  Francisco.  In 
the  mean  time  the  boats  of  the  Vincennes  had  sailed  up  the  Sacramento, 
visiting  points,  which  have  since,  through  the  new  element  introduced 
into  the  history  of  California,  become  so  familiar  to  American  ears.    Tho 


[1841. 

)  several  roileSi 
iiigs;  au  exten- 
ity  swell  of  tha 
cross-tides  rush 
iQ  Peacock  en- 
I  name.  Lieut, 
jns  which  could 
I.  Steering  for 
needed  for  a  few 
,8  directly  made 

The  wind  now 
n  which  no  boat 
to  pieces  on  the 
sel  beginning  to 
reaches  over  her, 
however,  it  wont 
»oats,  which  now 
)re.    They  made 
at.  Com.  Hudson 
le  sea  rose  again, 
ihip.    In  making 
nd,  and  the  crew 

Peiceiving  this, 
n  to  the  shore, 
t  away,  tlie  water 
lelpless  hull  with 
the  afternoon  the 
longside  the  ship, 
inions  were  borno 
Id  be  seen  of  the 
)lar  ice-fields  and 
'ery  destitute  con- 
here  the  stores  for 
nished  them  with 
he  Hudson's  Bay 

ed  some  changes 

was  purchased  on 

ime  of  the  Oregon. 

ock,  while  the  rest 

',ennes  was  sent  to 

Sacramento.    A 

the  same  river  and 

nsferred  his  flag  to 

the  survey  of  the 

accomplished,  the 
San  Francisco.  In 
dp  the  Sacramento, 
(lenient  introduced 
pnerican  ears.    The 


1842.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


51 


party  which  undertook  the  land  journey  from  Oregon,  was  conducted 
with  great  skill  and  courage  by  Lieutenant  Emmons,  over  a  difilcult 
route  and  through  hostile  tribes  of  Indians.  This  hostility  was  particu- 
larly unfortunate,  as  it  obliged  the  party  to  keep  more  closely  together, 
thus  preventing  those  excursions  which  would  have  furnished  a  more 
extensive  knowledge  of  the  country  and  of  the  condition  and  numbers 
of  the  inhabitants. 

On  the  2l8t  of  November  the  expedition  sailed  from  San  Francisco. 
Its  route  now  led  it  again  ncrnss  the  Pacific;  the  bss  of  the  Peacock 
requiring  a  stop  at  the  Sandwu  h  Islands  fur  supplies.  Tlie  instructions 
allowed  a  visit  to  Japan;  but  so  much  time  had  already  o'^psed,  it  was 
found  impossible  to  accomplish  it.  On  leaving  Oahu,  the  Porpoise  and 
Oregon  sailed  in  the  direction  of  the  coast  of  Japan,  with  the  p  irpose 
of  examining  such  islands  and  reefs  as  lay  in  their  course.  Thj  Vin- 
cennes  and  the  tender  kept  to  iIk^  southward  of  the  course  of  tho  former 
vessels,  still  in  the  general  westerly  direction,  passing  through  tho  Ladrones 
Islands,  and  giving  particular  attention  to  tho  settlement  of  some  doubtful 
positions  of  islands  and  reefs.  The  existence  of  several  of  these  y/m 
found  to  be  imaginary.  On  the  12th  of  January,  1842,  the  latter  vessel* 
anchored  in  the  bay  of  Manilla.  Thence  they  sailed  into  and  through 
the  Sooloo  Sea,  making  a  careful  and  accurate  survey  of  it,  which  was 
greatly  needed,  the  existing  charts  being  incorrect  in  tho  extrerae. 
Another  good  service  was  accomplished  here  in  securing  a  treaty  betweea 
the  Sultan  of  Sooloo  and  the  United  States,  by  which  the  foimer  engaged 
to  afford  full  protection  to  the  commercial  vessels  of  the  latter,  and  all 
privileges  granted  to  the  most  favored  nations,  and  also  to  afford  aid  to 
the  shipwrecked  vessels  of  any  nations.  This  arrangement  was  effected 
with  a  noted  piratical  power. 

Lieut  Com.  Ringgold  in  the  Poi-poise,  and  Lieut.  Com.  Carr  in  the 
Oregon,  kept  to  the  westward  and  northward,  after  leaving  the  Sandwich 
Islands;  but  meeting  with  unfavorable  weather,  they  could  not  proceed 
to  the  coast  of  Japan,  and  therefore  turned  to  the  south,  and  ran  on 
nearly  tho  same  track  aa  the  Vincennes.  In  February  the  squadron 
again  met  at  Singapore,  where  at  the  same  time  were  tho  United  States 
frigate  Constellation,  and  sloop  of  war  Boston.  The  Flying  Fish  was 
sold  at  Singapore ;  it  not  being  deemed  safe  to  undertake  the  voyage 
home  in  her.  On  the  26th  of  February  the  remaining  vessels  got 
under  way  for  their  homeward  voyage ;  the  Porpoise  and  the  Oregon 
sailing  in  company  and  stopping  at  St.  Helena  and  Rio  de  Janeiro; 
the  Vincennes  alone  making  short  visits  at  Cape  Town  and  St.  Helena, 
During  the  month  of  June,  1842,  they  all  arrived  at  New  York,  and 
safely  terminated  their  long  cruise. 

The  results  of  the  expedition,  as  constituting  valuable  additions  to  the 
departments  of  knowledge  embraced  in  its  plan  and  purpose,  cannot  be 
questioned.  The  opportunity  for  discovery  of  a  brilliant  character  is  not 
in  this  age  furnished  to  any  navigator.  But  in  the  grand  work  for  the 
substantial  improvement  of  the  condition  of  mankind  in  the  way  of  pro- 
moting peaceful  intercoui-se  and  in  rendering  such  intercourse  more  safe 
and  expeditious,  the  American  exploring  squadron  has  done  good  service. 
The  character  of  the  results  in  a  commercial  aspect  may  be  gathered 


62 


5AVAL  HISTORY. 


[1842. 


i 


■h 


nomewhat  from  the  imperfect  account  whicfi  luis  beor.  given;  while  njiut 
idea  of  the  amount  of  information  collected  in  relation  to  the  various 
countries  visited,  can  only  bo  gained  by  a  perusal  of  tho  full  and  ofBcial 
account. 

Tho  sciontiflo  corps  were  on  all  occasions  diligent  and  enthusiastic,  and 
their  labors  are  attested  by  tho  large  collections  which  thoy  have  made, 
illustnitiiig  the  natural  Nciunoos,  and  by  thvi  observations  and  examinations 
on  all  subjects  intrusted  to  them,  which  thoy  have  patiently  accomplishotl. 

Toward  tho  close  of  tho  year  1842,  a  tragical  antl  most  unhappy  wour- 
ronce  took  place  on  board  a  vessel  of  the  American  navy,  which,  for  various 
rejisons,  produced  at  tho  time  a  profound  sonsation  throughout  tho  coun- 
try. Tho  United  States  brig  aomors,  Commander  Mackenzie,  sailed  fi-om 
Now  York  on  tho  13th  of  September,  with  dispatches  for  the  snuadron 
on  tho  coast  of  Africa.  She  left  Cnpe  Mcsurado  on  tho  10th  of  Novem- 
ber, on  her  homeward  voyage,  standing  across  to  the  Leeward  Islands,  so 
as  to  touch  at  St.  Thomas  on  her  return  to  our  own  coast.  Some  days 
before  reaching  the  latter  island,  on  tho  20th  of  November,  a  midshipman 
vvas  arrested  on  the  charge  of  intended  mutiny.  Tho  events  whicn  loil 
to  this  arrest  were  aftirmed  to  be  as  follows :  On  the  preceding  evening, 
this  midshipman  disclosed  to  tho  purser's  steward,  tho  particulai-s  of  a  plan 
which  he  had  formed  for  seizing  the  brig,  and  converting  hor  into  n 
pirate.  He  convoyed  to  the  min(l  of  his  confidant  the  conviction  of  his 
seriousness  respecting  such  plan,  exacted  from  him  an  oath  of  secrecy,  and 
informed  him  that  about  twenty  of  tho  cew  wore  already  engagwl  in  tho 
project.  The  conversation  was  continuf.d  for  some  time,  and  during  it, 
a  seaman  took  part  in  it,  evincing  that  ho  was  one  of  those  already  en- 
listed in  tho  enterprise.  The  next  day  tho  particulars  of  this  plot  were 
conveyed  by  tho  pui-ser's  steward  to  the  fii-st  lieutenant,  and  by  him  wore 
laid  before  Commander  Mackenzie. 

After  his  arrest  the  suspected  midshipman  was  ironed,  and  placed  on 
the  quarter-deck,  under  charge  of  an  officer.  Tho  officers  assert  that 
symptoms  of  discontent  and  insubordination  now  began  to  bo  manifestixl 
by  the  crew  —  that  they  collected  in  knots  upon  the  deck,  engaging  in 
conversation,  casting  frequent  glances  toward  the  quarter-dock,  and  sepa- 
rating on  the  approach  of  an  officer.  On  the  27th,  the  main-t)p-gallant- 
mast  was  carrier.!  away,  in  executing  an  order.  This  injury  to  the  voss*! 
the  commander  supposed  to  have  been  done  by  design  on  the  part  of  the 
mutineers,  that  in  the  confusion  they  might  effect  the  rescue  of  their 
leader,  and  carry  out  their  plan  of  seizing  the  vessel.  No  such  attempt, 
however,  was  made.  The  new  mast  was  rigged,  and  all  the  damage  was 
repaired  before  night.  This  done,  the  suspicions  of  the  officers  as  to  the 
fiLleiity  of  tho  crow  being  greatly  increased,  two  more  arrests  wore  made. 
The  persons  arrested  were  the  boatswain's  mate,  doing  duty  as  iHiatswain 
in  the  brig,  and  the  seaman  mentioned  before  as  an  accomplice.  Theso 
mon  were  also  heavily  ironed,  and  placed  upon  the  quarter-deck. 

The  officers  were  now  all  armed,  and  were  required  to  be  increasingly 
vigilant  in  watching  the  prisoners  and  the  crew.  Still  were  the  officers 
entirely  imcertain  as  to  the  extent  of  the  mutiny  and  the  general  dispo- 
sition of  the  men.  They  were  of  opinion  that  others  were  at  large  who 
should  be  confined;  but  as  the  vessel  was  destitute  of  marioeB)  they 


[1842. 

on  *,  while  ft  juit 

to  tho  vnrious 

full  i«kI  official 

ontluiMMtio,  nn«l 
hoy  hnvo  nmile, 
nJ  oxftiiiin'^tl"'!' 
ly  nccoiniAislie'l. 
1  unhappy  occnr- 
(vliich,  for  vnrioiw 
ighout  tho  c«.un- 
oijzie,  Rftilwl  fi-om 

for  tho  wiuftdron 
3  lOthof  Novom- 
joward  IslancK  so 
oust.  Some  (lays 
^er,  a  midshipman 

events  whicii  loil 
.receding  evening, 
articuliu-s  of  a  plan 
verting  hor  injo  a 
e  conviction  of  his 
)ath  of  secrecy,  an.! 
ady  engagoti  in  the 
mo,  and  during  it, 
r  thoso  fth-endy  on- 
^8  of  this  riot  wore 
it,  and  by  him  were 

.ned,  and  placed  on 
otticera  assert  that 
an  to  bo  manifested 
3  deck,  engaging  in 
trter-dcck,  and  sopa- 
le  main-top-gallnnt- 
injuvy  to  the  vos-vl 
n  on  the  part  of  the 
tho  rcscno  of  their 
No  nuch  rtttwnpt, 
,  nil  the  dmnago  was 
the  officers  as  to  the 
e  arrests  wore  made, 
ig  duty  as  lH>ats\viun 
t  accomplioo.    Theso 
quarter-deck.     ^ 
ed  to  be  iiicroasmgiy 
,till  were  the  olhcers 
id  the  general  (hspo- 
-ii-s  were  at  larg^'  \vho 
Lite  of  marineB,  they 


1842.] 


NAVAL  IIIRTORT. 


53 


considered  themwives  inadequate  to  tho  guarding  of  many  prisoner*. 
The  2StU  and  'iOth  pawed  with  no  very  in  irl;ed  evcntu,  tho  men  <loing 
duty,  thougli,  M  the  ofliconi  thought,  with  manifest  rehictance  and  <iis- 
content  on  the  part  of  some.  Yet  there  was  no  overt  act  of  mutiny,  nnd 
no  attempt  at  a  rescue  of  llio  prisoners.  Certain  papers  wore  found  in 
the  possession  of  the  midshipnian  at  the  time  of  his  arrest,  which  con- 
tained in  Greek  cliaractcrs  tiie  names  of  individuals  who,  lie  had  pro- 
tended, were  certain  to  join  tho  enterprise;  of  some  wljo  wore  doubtful 
and  likely  to  tako  [)art  or  acquiesce  in  it;  and  of  others  to  ho  retained 
as  necessary,  even  against  their  wills.  Several  of  these  were  constantly 
watched,  and  some  of  them  were  supposed  to  evince  suspicious  signs. 
Attemptjt  at  communication  between  tho  prisoners,  who  were  still  kept 
under  the  eye  of  officers  on  tho  (juartor-deck,  and  tho  cn?w,  were  also 
observed.  The  conmiander  therefore  felt  constrained,  on  the  30th,  to 
make  more  arrests,  so  that  tho  prisouei-s  now  amounted  to  seven. 

In  tho  mean  time,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  30th,  the  commander 
addressed  a  communication  to  his  otHcers,  asking  for  their  opinion  as  to 
tho  disposition  to  bo  made  of  tho  three  men  first  arrested,  whom  ho  con- 
sidered the  main  conspirators.     A  council  of  officers  therefore  assembled 
in  tho  wardroom,  composed  of  the  only  lieutenant  on  board,  tho  surgeon, 
the  purser,  the  acting  master  who  was  a  passed-midshipman,  and  three 
midshipmen.     Three  younger  acting  miilshipmen  were  not  included  in 
tho  council,  but  during  its  sitting,  had  charge  of  the  veRsel,  in  company 
with  the  commander.     This  council  examined  several  witnesses,  whoso 
statements  and  opinions  were  duly  recorded.    Their  deliberations  did  not 
take  the  form  of  a  trial,  and  cannot  in  any  just  sense  be  called  one,  as 
the  accused  did  not  appear  before  them,  and  were  granted  no  opportunity 
for  explanation  or  defence.     Indeed,  the  object  of  their  investigation  and 
oonsultation  was  to  advise  their  coni'.i  under,  whether  in  their  opinion  the 
necessity  of  the  case  was  so  extreme  and  urgent,  as  to  require  the  exer- 
cise of  that  arbitrary  power,  which,  without  question,  must  at  times  bo 
within  the  discretion  of  military  authority.    That  this  necessity  did  now 
exist  was  the  unanimous  opinion  of  these  officers;  and  this  opinion  they 
reported  to  their  commander  on  the  morning  of  December  Ist.    They 
considered  that  in  the  state  of  the  crew,  as  they  viewed  it,  it  was  impos- 
sible, with  any  good  hope  of  security  to  the  rightful  authority  of  the 
commander,  or  to  the  lives  of  those  loyal  to  the  flag,  to  carry  the  vessel 
into  tho  nearest  port  of  the  United  States.    They  also  deemed  it  an  im- 
poi-tant  naval  principle  *\\ixt  a  ship  of  war  should  not  apply  for  assistance 
in  a  case  like  the  pros.ii\t  to  any  foreign  friendly  power.     In  these  views 
Commander  Mackenzie'  coincided.     He  decided  that  it  was  not  his  duty 
to  run  for  the  nearest  friendly  port  in  order  to  obtain  assistance.     His 
desire  to  reach  even  the  island  of  St.  Thomas,  without  resorting  to  the 
stern  law  of  necessity,  was  caused  by  the  hope  that  he  might  there  find 
the  United  States  ship  Vandalia,  and  not  by  the  purpose  to  solicit  the 
interference  of  the  government  of  that  island.     But  in  his  opinion  this 
alternative  was  not  now  left;  the  safety  of  the  vessel  requiring  the  im- 
mediate execution  of  the  three  prominent  mutineers. 

On  the  morning  of  December  1st,  it  was  accordingly  announced  to 
them,  that  they  must  prepare  for  a  speedy  death.    Somewhat  more  than 


1 1 


54 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1842. 


■  r'i'i 


I 


an  hour  elapsed,  during  which  the  unhappy  men  were  occupied  in  con- 
versation with  the  officers,  and  in  communicating  their  last  wishes  and 
messages  to  their  friends.  The  condemned  midshipman  and  the  seaman 
first  named  as  an  accomplice,  admitted  their  guilt,  and  the  justice  of  their 
punishment;  but  the  boatswain's  mate  died  protesting  his  innocence. 
The  midshipman  also  declared  that  the  latter  was  innocent.  All  hands 
were  called  to  witness  punishment,  and  the  men  were  stationed  at  the 
different  points  where  the  condemned  were  to  be  executed,  while  officers 
stood  over  them  with  drawn  cutlasses,  having  orders  to  cut  down  any 
who  faltered  in  inflicting  the  dreadful  penalty.  When  every  thing  was 
adjusted,  and  pai-tings  had  been  exchanged,  the  commander  gave  the 
order,  the  signal  gun  was  fired,  the  national  coloi-s  were  hoisted,  and 
eimultaneously  the  three  condemned  men  were  swinging  at  the  yard-arm. 
The  comiiiander  then  addressed  the  men,  after  which  they  separated  and 
returned  to  their  respective  duties.  After  night  had  set  in,  the  solemn 
funeral  service  was  read  by  the  light  of  the  battle-lanterns,  and  the 
bodies  were  committed  to  the  sea.  It  need  hardly  be  said,  that  this  ex- 
treme act  of  discipline  had  its  designed  effect.  No  symptoms  of  a  mu- 
tinous 01  disaffected  spirit  were  manifested  by  the  crew,  and  the  brig, 
after  touching  at  St.  Thomas,  arrived  at  New  York  on  the  14th  of 
December.  ' 

As  soon  as  the  facts  of  this  most  painful  case  became  known,  it  pro- 
duced a  deep  excitement  in  the  public  mind.  A  court  of  inquiry,  con- 
sisting of  three  senior  captains,  was  convened  in  the  case  on  the  28th  of 
December,  and  sat  until  the  1 9th  of  January.  The  finding  of  this  court 
was  a  complete  justification  of  Commander  Mackenzie  and  his  officers. 
Notwithstanding  this  decision,  the  former  was  arrested,  and  a  court- 
martial  was  appointed  for  his  trial,  to  meet  at  New  York  on  the  1st  of 
February,  1843.  This  court  sat  for  forty  days,  and  finally  acquitted  him. 
An  attempt  was  also  made,  by  the  friends  of  the  boatswain's  mate,  to 
obtain  in  the  civil  court,  an  indictment  for  murder  against  the  commander 
of  the  vessel.  The  judge,  before  whom  the  question  was  argued,  charged 
the  grand  jury,  that  it  was  not  competent  for  a  civil  tribunal  to  take  up 
the  case  while  it  was  pending  before  a  naval  court.  This  was  while  the 
court  of  inquiry  was  investigating  the  affair.  It  remains  to  be  st  ited 
that  several  more  arrests,  from  among  the  crew,  were  made  after  the 
vessel  reached  New  York,  but  no  charges  were  ever  prefer-ed  against 
any  of  the  prisonei"s,  and  they  were  all  dismissed  from  custody  without 
trial. 


1842.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


55 


CHAPTER  V. 


>/ 


Capture  of  Monterey  by  Com.  Jones— Relations  of  United  States  and  Mexico — Commencement 
of  hostilities — Cora.  Sloat's  movements  in  the  Pacitlc  Com.  Stocliton  assumes  the  command 
of  Pacific  squadron— Co-operates  with  Major  Fremont— Enters  Los  Angelos— Los  Angelos 
retaken  by  the  Mexicans — Com.  Stockton  forms  a  junction  with  Gen.  Keirney— Battles  of  San 
Gabriel  and  Mesa— Recapture  of  Los  An^elos— Com.  Shubrick  assumes  the  command  of  the 
squadron  —  Guaymaa,  La  Paz,  and  San  Jose  taken— Capture  of  Mazatlan — Aittiir  at  Mul^e 
and  Guaymas— First  defence  of  San  Jose  by  Lieut.  Hey  wood— Various  movements  on  the 
coast— Second  siege  and  defence  of  San  Jose — Garrison  relieved  by  Commander  Du  Pont— 
Quiet  restored  in  Lower  California. 

In  the  year  1842,  Commodore  Thomas  Ap.  C.  Jones  was  in  command 
of  the  United  States  naval  force  in  the  Pacific.  During  the  lattter  part 
of  the  summer  of  that  year,  he  was  lying  in  the  port  of  Callao,  with  the 
flag-ship  United  States  44,  the  sloop  of  war  Cyane  20,  the  sloop  of  war 
Dale  16,  and  the  schooner  Shark  12.  While  at  this  place,  he  received 
a  Mexican  newspaper  containing  a  manifesto  from  the  Mexican  govern- 
ment, respecting  the  relations  between  that  country  and  the  United 
States,  from  which  he  considered  it  probable  that  war  existed  between  the 
two  nations.  In  an  American  newspaper  ho  also  found  a  report  to  the 
effect  that  Great  Britain  had  made  purchase  of  California  from  Mexico. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  for  some  time  before  the  Mexican  war,  secret  nego- 
tiations had  been  carried  on  by  British  agents,  having  in  view  the  cession 
of  some  portion  of  Mexican  territory  to  the  latter  power;  Mexico  being, 
it  should  be  remembered,  largely  in  debt  to  British  citizens.  But 
nothing  of  this  kind  wa?  ever  really  effected.  At  the  same  time  that 
Cora.  Jones  had  his  suspicions  awakened  by  these  rumors  of  cession,  there 
happened  to  be  an  English  squadron  of  some  force  concentrated  in  this 
part  of  the  Pacific ;  and  the  Dublin  frigate,  the  flag-ship  of  Rear  Admiral 
Thomas,  had  looked  into  Callao,  and,  after  a  short  stay,  had  suddenly 
departed  in  the  night,  without  giving  any  intimation  of  her  destination, 
but  bound,  it  was  supposed,  to  the  coast  of  North  America. 

The  American  commodore  had  evidently  been  put  upon  the  alert  by 
his  ov.'n  government;  the  question  of  the  annexation  of  Texas,  then  in 
agitation,  having  given  unusual  interest  and  prominence  to  Mexican 
aflairs,  and,  in  the  event  of  a  war  between  the  two  countries,  it  being 
mainifestly  the  policy  of  the  United  States  to  seize  upon  California.  It 
seemed  quite  likely  to  Cora.  Jones,  that  the  British  admiral  was  now  in- 
tending to  take  formal  possession  of  the  territory,  ^apposed  to  have  been 
ceded,  and  he  deemed  it  his  duty  to  forestall  or  resist  him  in  any  such 
plan.  He  consequently  sailed  suddenly  from  Callao  on  the  7tli  of  Sep- 
tember with  the  entire  squadron,  standing  out  to  the  westward.  The 
Shark  was  soon  sent  back  to  Callao,  and,  shortly  after,  the  Dale  was 
detached  with  orders  to  proceed  to  Panama  and  land  a  special  messenger 
with  dispatches  for  the  home  government.  Previously,  however,  to  the 
separation  of  the  latter  vessel  from  the  squadron,  a  council  of  officers, 
consisting  of  Captaiu  Armstrong  of  the  United  States,  Commander 
Stribling  of  the  Cyane,  and  Commander  Dornin  of  the  Dale,  was  called 


'ii'.%;'i  I 


:-« 


wm 


llri'iJliHiil 


56 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1842. 


f; 

;   ^ 

^. 

» 

i 

1 

• 

If 
i 

j,   , 

• 

i 

1 

■ 

I 

the 
ere 

■ful 
His 


by  Cora.  Jones,  for  the  purpose  of  giving  their  advice  as  to  the  course 
proper  to  bo  pursued. 

Their  decision  on  the  main  question  proposed,  was,  that  "  in  case  the 
United  States  and  Mexico  are  at  war,  it  would  be  our  bounden  duty  to 
possess  ourselves  of  every  point  and  port  in  California,  v'lich  we  could 
take  and  defend  without  much  embarrassment  to  our  optiAtions  on  the 
ocean,"  and  that  "  we  should  consider  the  military  occupation  of  the 
Californias  by  any  European  power,  but  more  particularly  by  our  great 
commercial  rival,  England,  and  especially  at  this  particular  juncture,  as 
a  measure  so  decidedly  hostile  to  the  true  interest  of  the  United  States, 
as  not  only  to  warrant  our  so  doing,  but  to  make  it  our  duty  to  forestall 
the  design  of  Admiral  Thomas,  if  possible,  by  supplanting  the  Mexican 
flag  by  that  of  the  United  States,  at  Monterey,  San  Francisco,  and  any 
other  tenable  points  within  the  territory  said  to  have  been  recently  cedgd 
by  secret  treaty  to  Great  Britain."  The  United  States  and  Cyane  then 
proceeded  to  the  northward,  crowding  all  sail  for  the  coast  of  Mexico. 
While  on  the  way,  Coi» .  Jones,  in  writing  to  the  secretary  of  the  navy, 
after  alluding  to  the  fact  of  having  received  no  communication  since  his 
sailing  orders  of  nine  months  previous,  says :  "  In  all  that  I  may  do,  I 
shall  confine  myself  strictly  to  what  I  may  suppose  would  be  your  views 
and  orders,  had  you  the  means  of  communicating  them  to  me." 

On  the  afternoon  of  October  1 9th,  the  two  ships  anchor'  ^  ' 
harbor  of  Monterey.  The  Mexican  flag  floated  over  the  towi 
was  no  sign  of  British  authority;  so  that  the  commodore  was 
in  being  beforehand  in  respect  to  the  admiral's  supposed  design, 
suspicions  were  so  far  confirmed  by  what  he  heard  and  saw,  however, 
that  he  concluded  to  summon  the  governor  to  surrender.  The  next 
morning  the  articles  of  capitulation  were  signed,  the  Mexican  authorities 
meanwhile  declaring  themselves  ignorant  of  the  existence  of  any  hostili- 
ties. No  opposition  being  offered,  the  capture  was  an  easy  one,  and  the 
American  flag  soon  rose  in  the  place  of  the  Mexican,  over  a  dilapidated 
fortification  mounting  eleven  guns.  A  proclamation  was  also  immediately 
issued  by  Com.  Jones,  designed  to  explain  the  purpose  of  the  American 
commander  in  this  capture,  and  to  reconcile  the  inhabitants  to  the  change 
of  their  allegiance. 

The  next  day  Com.  Jones  discovered,  through  late  Mexican  newspapers 
and  commercial  letters  from  Mazatlan,  that  the  facts  were  by  no  means 
what  he  had  sup]>osed ;  that  there  was  no  war,  and  that  there  was  no 
evidence  that  the  idea  of  cessi  n  to  Great  Britain  was  entertained  by  the 
Mexican  government.  He  hud,  in  fact,  seized  upon  a  province  of  a 
country,  with  which  his  own  government  was  still  at  peace.  He,  there- 
fore, immediately  completed  the  act  of  retrocession  to  the  original  author- 
ities, with  all  proper  and  customary  marks  of  respect,  and  retired  from 
before  the  place. 

[The  following,  to  page  67,  was  dictated  by  Mr.  Cooper  in  the  summer  of  1851.] 

This  somewhat  precipitate  movement  on  the  part  of  Commodore 
Jones  compelled  a  change  in  the  command,  as  a  species  of  propitiatory 
offering  to  the  Mexicans.  He  was  recalled,  and  Commodore  Sloat  was 
sent  out  aa  his  successor.  No  censure,  however,  was  ever  passed  upon 
the  former,  for  his  very  decided  movement,  and  it  is  to  be  supposed,  that 


I  '^••M 


[1842. 


1846.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


57 


to  the  course 

at  "  in  case  the 
ounden  duty  to 
ivViich  we  could 
)tv -itions  on  the 
jupation  of  the 
rly  by  our  great 
liar  juncture,  as 
J  United  States, 
duty  to  forestall 
ing  the  Mexican 
ancisco,  and  any 
in  recently  ced§d 
and  Cyane  then 
coast  of  Mexico, 
tary  of  the  navy, 
aication  since  his 
;hat  I  may  do,  I 
lid  be  your  views 
1  to  rae."         \ 
anchor;^  i"  the 
the  tow  1       ^'^ere 
ore  was   »•■  ■  f-'tul 
)sed  design.    His 
md  saw,  however, 
fender.    The  next 
exican  authorities 
ice  of  any  hostili- 
easy  one,  and  the 
over  a  dilapidated 
s  also  immediately 
e  of  the  American 
iints  to  the  change 

Mexican  newspapers 
[were  by  no  means 
[that  there  was  no 
I  entertained  by  the 

a  province  of  a 
[peace.  He,  there- 
the  original  author- 

and  retired  from 

Ithe  summer  of  1851.] 
Irt  of  Commodore 
Icies  of  propitiatory 
imodore  Sloat  was 
ever  passed  upon 
[o  bo  supposed,  thai 


the  vigilance  of  the  officer  was  acceptable  to  the  government  at  houuv 
rather  than  otherwise.  In  point  of  fact,  there  were  several  years  during 
which  the  fate  of  California  niay  be  said  to  have  been  suspended  in  the 
political  scales.  Should  Texas  be  annexed,  as  was  the  wish  of  her  own 
people,  though  so  strongly  opposed  by  England  and  France,  it  was  almost 
certain  that  a  collision  with  Mexico  must  follow.  The  latter  country  had, 
unfortunately  for  the  cause  of  peace,  been  guilty  of  many  actf  '^f  aggres- 
sion to  provoke  hostilities,  and  there  was  only  too  much  ground  for  the 
course  of  policy  subsequently  pursued  by  the  American  government. 
Errors  and  wrongs  there  were,  no  doubt,  committed  by  both  nations;  but 
on  the  whole,  there  is  much  reason  to  think  that  the  United  States  had 
the  best  of  the  argument,  on  purely  national  principles. 

Texas  was  independent  de  facto,  and  she  had  become  so  by  a  marked 
breach  of  faith  on  the  part  of  the  central  government  of  Mexico.     It  is 
true  tHat  a  belt  of  country,  extending  to  the  northward  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
might  be  deemed  fairly  in  dispute  between  the  two  nations:  a  state  of 
things  that  certainly  gave  to  one  party  as  much  the  right  of  possession 
as  fo  the  other.    Whether  the  Nueces,  or  the  Great  River  of  the  North, 
was  to  be  the  dividing  line,  was  a  question  for  diplomacy  to  decide,  unless 
an  appeal  should  be'made  to  arms,  in  which  event,  the  debatable  terri- 
tory would,  as  a  matter  of  course,  follow  the  ordinary  contingencies  of  war. 
Such  a  state  of  things,  with  two  armies  in  close  proximity,  was  not 
likely  to  continue  long.     Collisions  might  be  hourly  expected,  and, 
indeed,  did  soon  occur,  between  small  parties  of  the  contending  forces, 
until  matters  proceeded  so  far  as  to  induce  the  Americans  to  open  a  fire 
upon  the  Mexicans,  in  the  city  of  Mataraoras,  opposite  to  which  town 
the  former  had  constructed  a  fort     This  led  to  an    ttempt  to  carry  that 
work  by  rapid  siege,  and  the  crossing  of  a  force  of  several  thousand  men, 
under  the  orders  of  General  Ampudia.     It  was  while  marching  to  the 
relief  of  Fort  Brown,  as  this  post  was  called,  that  the  armies — that  of  the 
Mexicans,  now  under  the  orders  of  General  Arista,  and  that  of  the  Amer- 
icans, under  the  command  of  Brevet  Brigadier-general  Taylor  —  firat 
came  fairly  in  contact,  at  a  place  called  Palo  Alto ;  the  disparity  in  force 
was  greatly  in  favor  of  the  Mexicans,  and  the  result  of  this  brilliant  cannon- 
ading showed  the  great  superiority  of  the  American  arms  in  any  thing 
like  a  serious  conflict.     The  more  brilliant  affair  of  Resaca  de  la  Palmti, 
succeeded  the  next  day,  and  war  was  shortly  afterward  formally  declared 
by  both  nations,  the  proclamation  of  the  United  States  being  dated  the 
12th  of  May,  1846,  and  that  of  Mexico,  the  23d  of  the  same  month. 

A  declaration  of  war  between  countries  such  as  Mexico  and  the  United 
States,  very  naturally  created  strong  apprehensions  of  what  might  be 
the  efl^ect  on  the  widely  spread  commerce  of  the  latter,  under  a  loose  and 
rapacious  L,ystem  of  privateering.  It  was  naturally  expected  that  Mexico 
would  have  recourse  to  such  an  expedient  to  injure  her  adversary,  whose 
shipping  whitened  the  ocean,  while  there  was  scarcely  a  Mexican  flag  to 
be  met  with,  unless  it  might  be  at  the  peak  of  some  insignificant  coaster. 
It  is  Understood  that  an  early  attempt  was  made  by  agents  of  the  Mexican 
government,  to  dispose  of  commissions  for  privateers  among  the  seamen 
of  the  islands;  but  the  three  principal  governments  having  colonies  in 
and  about  the  gulf,  had  the  wisdom  and  good  foith  not  to  encourage  such 


4|: 


68 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1846, 


I 


a  systern  of  rapacious  plundering.  The  authorities  of  Cuba  in  particular, 
took  very  firm  ground,  and  effectually  prevented  any  thing  like  »?  hostile 
armament  from  quitting  its  jurisdiction.  A  solitary  vessel,  at  a  later 
day,  was  captured  in  the  Mediterranean,  but  was  restored  on  the  demand 
of  the  Amerit  n  government.  In  a  word,  it  may  as  well  be  said  here, 
that  a  war  which  menaced  so  many  nnaritime  disasters  to  the  commerce 
of  the  country,  did  not,  in  fact,  produce  one.  And  the  trade  of  the 
United  States  continued  to  pursue  its  customary  objects,  with  nearly  as 
much  confidence  and  security,  as  in  a  time  of  profound  peace.  The 
large  and  well-manned  liners  which  then  carried  on  most  of  the  trade 
between  New  York  and  Europe,  took  in  a  heavy  gun  or  two,  and  relied 
for  the  means  of  defence  ori  this  slight  armament,  and  the  number  of 
passengers  that  were  passing  to  and  fro. 

One  of  the  firet  measures  of  the  government  was  to  add  several  small 
cruisers  purchased  from  among  the  fast-sailing  schooners  of  the  different 
ports,  temporarily  to  the  service.  These,  equipped  with  a  single  heavy 
gun,  and  additional  armament,  placed  under  the  command  of  old  heuten- 
ants,  were  sent  to  join  the  squadron  of  Commodore  Conner  in  the  gulf. 
Other  vessels  wore  added  to  that  oflBcer's  force,  which  war  soon  arapJe  for 
any  of  the  probable  circumstances  of  a  maritime  war  against  such  ^n 
enemy.  Vera  Cruz  was  closely  watched,  and  the  American  flag  whs 
soon  seen  hovering  around  all  the  little  ports  in  the  gulf,  that  were  then 
under  the  control  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  other  side  of  the  continent,  a  different  state  of  things  existed. 
The  trade  was  so  much  scattered,  and,  as  a  whole,  so  well  prepared  to 
take  care  of  itself,  more  especially  in  the  whalei-s,  that  little  apprehension 
seems  to  ha^'e  been  felt,  at  any  time,  on  the  subject  of  privateei-s.  The 
delicacy  of  the  relations  between  Mexico  and  certain  European  states, 
in  connection  with  the  two  Californias,  principally  occupied  the  attention 
of  Commodore  Sloat,  the  officer  then  in  command.  It  was  understood 
to  be  the  policy  of  England  to  effect,  through  her  merchants,  in  the 
event  of  hostilities  between  this  country  and  Mexico,  such  a  transfer  of 
these  two  provinces,  as  would  give  them  a  claim  of  a  very  embarrassing 
nature,  in  the  shape  of  security  for  money  lent,  and  to  be  lent. 

Commodore  Sloat  lay  at  Mazatlan,  in  the  Savamah  44,  in  com- 
pany with  different  smaller  vessels,  which  came  and  went  as  circumstances 
required,  closely  watching  the  course  of  events  in  the  G-ulf  of  Mexico. 
He  had  a  line  of  -ictive  communication  across  the  continent,  by  means 
of  different  meica.  le  houses,  and  on  the  Vth  of  June,  he  received  through 
that  channel,  the  very  important  information  of  the  result  of  the  battles 
of  Palo  Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  Although  without  particular 
instructions  to  meet  the  espeoial  emergency,  war  not  having  then  been 
proclaimed  by  either  party,  this  officer  came  to  a  prompt  and  wise  deter- 
mination. **  If,"  said  he,  "  the  Mexicans  have  been  the  assailr.nts  in  these 
battles,  it  is  my  duty  to  employ  the  naval  force  unde."  my  orders,  in  di- 
verting their  efforts,  and  in  retaliating  for  these  hostilities?;  and  if  on  the 
•)ther  hand,  the  hostile  movement  has  come  from  our  own  ode,  the  duty 
rf  every  officer,  in  separate  command,  to  sustain  such  a  movement,  is 
K)  obvious  as  to  require  no  vindication."  He  sailed  on  the  8th  for 
the  northward,  leaving  the  Warren  at  Mazatlan,  to  wait  for  further 


1846.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


59 


intelligence.  The  Savannah  reached  Monterey  on  the  2d  of  July.  Hero 
the  Commodore  found  the  Cyane  and  Levant,  and  ascertained  that  the 
Portsmouth  was  at  San  Francisco.  The  place  was  summoned  on  the 
morning  of  the  7th,  but  the  oflSctr  in  command  refer  ed  to  the  com- 
manding general  of  California  for  the  answer. 

The  previous  arrangements  having  been  made,  a  party  of  two  hundied 
and  Rhv  seamen  and  marines  landed  under  the  immediate  command 
of  Capt.  Wm.  Mervine.  This  force  raised  the  standard  of  the  United 
States,  under  a  salute  of  twenty-one  guns.  At  the  same  time  a  procla- 
mation announcing  the  t  cansfer  of  flag  was  published  in  both  Spanish 
and  English.  Orders  were  sent  to  Commander  Montgomery  of  the 
Portsmouth,  to  take  possession  also  of  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  which 
was  done  on  the  9th.  Commodore  Sloat  took  the  other  necessary 
measures  to  secure  his  bloodless  conquest,  and  to  preserve  order  in  the 
country. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  15th  of  July,  the  Congress  arrived  from 
Valparaiso,  by  way  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  and  Commodore  Stockton 
reported  himself  for  duty  to  his  senior  officer.  On  the  16th,  Sir  George 
F.  Seymour,  British  admiral  commanding  in  the  Pacific,  arrived  in  the 
Collingwood  80;  the  civilities  of  the  port  were  tendered  to  him  by 
Commodore  Sloat,  in  the  usual  manner;  he  was  supplied  with  some 
spare  spars,  and  oh  the  23d,  sailed  for  the  Sandwich  Islands. 

The  appearance  of  the  English  commander-in-chief,  his  pacific  relations 
with  the  Americans,  and  his  early  departure,  had  the  effect  to  destroy  all 
hope  among  the  Californians,  of  assistance  from  that  quarter. 

On  the  29th  of  July,  Commodore  Sloat  shifted  his  pennant  to  the 
Levant,  and  sailed  for  Panama,  on  liis  way  to  the  United  States.  The 
squadron,  of  course,  was  left  under  the  command  of  Commodore 
Stockton.  Previously  to  the  departure  of  Commodore  Sloat,  however, 
a  body  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  riflemen  was  sent  down  to  San 
Diego,  under  Captain  Fremont.*  This  movement  was  made  to  intercept 
the  communications  of  General  Castro,  the  Mexican  commander-in-chief, 
with  the  more  southern  provinces.  The  Congress  was  ordered  to  sail  on 
the  30th  for  San  Pedro,  to  take  possession  there.  There  happened  to  be  at 
the  time  within  the  limits  of  California,  an  expedition  of  a  scientific  charac- 
ter, under  the  orders  of  an  officer  of  the  topographical  engineers,  of  great 
activity  and  merit,  of  the  name  of  Fremont,  who  had  long  been  employed 
on  the  duty  of  exploring  the  whole  region  between  the  Mississippi  and 
the  Pacific  Ocean,  more  especially  as  connected  with  the  communication 
with  the  territory  of  Oregon.  This  gentleman  conceived  himself  injured 
by  some  of  the  proceedings  of  the  authorities  of  California,  and  in 
danger  of  being  captured,  if  not  destroyed,  by  the  policy  of  the  Mexi- 
cans, through  their  apprehensions  of  what  might  be  his  real  objects. 
Singularly  enough,  the  two  parties  would  seem  to  have  been  appreliensive 
of  each  other's  intentions,  and  both  had  recourse  to  the  strong  hand, 
in  order  to  secure  themselves  against  the  hostility  of  tJieir  supposed 

*  This  detachment  was  carried  down  to  San  Diego  in  the  Cyano,  Commander  Du  Pont ;  which 
vessel  arrived  before  the  place  on  the  29th  of  July.  The  American  Hag  was  hoisted  by  Lieut. 
Rowan  of  the  Cyane,  on  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  at  the  Presidio,  five  miles  distant  from 
the  port ;  and  the  iilace  was  immediately  garrisoned  by  the  marine  guard.  A  portion  of  th« 
troops  under  Captain  Fremont  was  landed  that  day,  and  the  rest  the  next  morning.— Ed. 


i 


I 


'  )i 


60 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


fi84n 


adversaries.  Fortunately  for  the  American  oflScer,  there  was  a  sufficient 
number  of  trappei's,  huntera  and  other  adventurers,  who  had  crossed  froip 
the  States,  to  be  met  with  on  the  plains  of  the  upper  country,  and  as 
these  men  were  as  loyal  to  their  flag  as  they  were  daring  and  reckless, 
their  enterprising  and  energetic  leader  soon  collected  enough  of  them  to 
render  himself  formidable  in  a  region  where  revolutions  had  often  been 
eftected  by  the  merest  handfuls  of  men. 

San  Francisco  was  taken  possession  of  on  the  9th  day  of  July,  by 
Commander  Montgomery  of  the  Portsmouth,  and  the  whole  of  that  very 
noble  and  important  bay  became,  at  once,  substantially  subject  to  the 
American  flag.    By  the  11th,  the  flag  was  flying  at  Suter's  fort  on  the 
Sacranionto,  at  Bodega  on  the  coast,  at  Sonomsi,  and  at  Yerba  Buena, 
or  what  is  commonly  called  San  Francisco.    Such  was  the  state  of  things, 
when  Commodore  Stockton  in  the  Congress  44,  app'^ared  off  Monterey. 
This  officer  had  left  home  on  the  25th  of  October,  1846;  he  had  touched 
at  Rio  and  the  usua]  ports  on  the  western  coast  of  South  America,  and 
at  Honolulu,  whence,  having  there  heard  of  the  commencement  of  the 
war  between  the  United  States  and  Mexico,  he  had  hastened  with  the 
ardor  that  belonged  to  hia  character,  to  participate  in  the  events  then  in 
progress  along  the  coast  between  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  the  frontiers  'of 
Oregon.    As  Commodore  Sloat  had  effected  the  principal  object  of  liis 
remaining  out  longer  than  his  health  rendered  expedient,  a  transfer  of 
command  took  place,  and  Commodore  Stockton,  hoisting  the  blue  pen- 
nant, in  place  of  the  red,  now  took  charge  of  the  whole  of  the  American 
force  then  supposed  to  be  in  the  Pacific.     The  government,  however, 
aware  of  the  great  importance  of  securing  the  command  of  those  distant 
seas,  and  jealous,  perhaps,  of  the  views  of  France  and  England,  neither 
of  which  countries  has  ever  been  particularly  diffident  in  appropriating 
to  its  own  purposes  territory  of  any  part  of  the  world  that  might  be 
found  convenient  to  possess,  had  given  its  attention  to  the  increase  of  tho 
squadron  in  that  distant  quarter  of  the  world.    The  Independence  54, 
Captain  Lavalette,  and  wearing  the  broad  pennant  of  Commodore  Williiim 
B.  Shubrick,  sailed  from  Boston  with  ordera  for  tho  north-west  coast,  on 
the  29th  of  August,  1846.     At  the  same  time  the  Columbus  80,  Cap- 
tain Wyman,  and  under  the  orders  of  Commodore  Biddle,  was  on  her 
way  from  China  and  Japan,  with  orders  to  touch  at  Lima  for  instructions 
as  to  her  future  coui-se.    This  was  assembling  a  very  formidable  force 
along  the  coast,  and  giving  ettectual  security  to  the  recent  conquests,  so 
far  as  the  interference  of  any  European  power  might  reasonably  be  an- 
ticipated.   The  Independence  appeared  off  Valparaiso  on  the  2d  of  De- 
cember, and  while  standing  oti'  and  on,  she  made  a  large  sail  to  the 
northward  and  westward,  which,  on  being  signaled,  showed  the  number 
of  the  Columbus.    The  two  ships  went  in  that  morning  and  anchored, 
when  Commodore  Biddle,  after  examining  the  instructions  of  his  junior, 
decided  to  send  the  Independence  to  the  coast  of  Califoinia  direct,  while 
he  proceeded  in  person  in  his  own  ship  to  Callao,  in  quest  of  his  ordera 
from  home.     The  two  vessels  sailed  shortly  after,  and  the  Independence 
reached  her  point  of  destination  on  the  22d  of  January,  1847,  after  the 
short  run  of  forty  days.     Here,  then,  was  another  transfer  in  the  naval 
command  in  this  part  of  the  Pacific,  and  Commod<ire  Shubrick  superseded 
Commodore  Stockton  by  public  proclamation 


1846.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


61 


The  intervening  time,  however,  between  the  day  when  Commodore 
Sioat  lowered  his  ])enQant,  and  that  on  which  Commodore  Stockton  imi- 
tated his  example,  had  been  one  of  great  activity  and  decision  on  the 
part  of  the  vessels  of  the  navy.  Finding  no  enemy  to  contend  with  on 
hia  own  element,  and  every  way  disposed  to  assist  the  views  of  the  gov- 
ernment at  home,  without  shrinking  from  responsibility.  Commodore 
Stockton  had  determined  to  extend  and  secure  the  conquests  made  by 
his  predecesso",  by  means  of  expeditions  inland,  principally  conducter"  by 
the  oflicers  and  j^eople  of  the  shipping. 

It  is  due  both  to  Commodore  Sloat  who  took  possession  of  Monterey 
iu  person,  and  to  Captain  Montgomery  in  the  Portsmouth,  who  look 
possession  of  San  Francisco,  to  say  that  both  these  officers  seem  to  have 
executed  their  delicate  duties  with  great  decision,  prudence  and  humanity. 
Their  force  was  too  great  to  permit  resistance,  it  is  true,  and  there  was 
the  certainty  of  its  being  able  to  maintain  the  new  authorities  within 
reasonable  distance  of  the  coast.  But  the  elements  of  discord  existed  in 
the  interior.  California  had  long  been  subject  to  what  might  be  termed 
domestic  revolutions  of  its  own,  and  it  was  no  unusual  thing  for  its  gov- 
ernment to  be  temporarily  changed  by  the  rising  of  some  local  military 
adventurer.  The  struggle  between  Capt.  Fiemont  at  the  north,  and 
Gen.  Castro,  the  Mexican  who  took  upon  himself  to  resist  what  he  chose 
to  consider  an  invasion,  had  prepared  the  way  for  the  events  that  suc- 
ceeded. On  assuming  the  command.  Commodore  Stockton  did  not  lose 
a  moment  in  putting  himself  in  relations  with  this  active  officer,  and  in 
projecting  an  expedition  into  the  interior  that  should  at  once  bring  the 
capital  of  the  province  under  the  control  of  the  flag. 

Although  California  was  very  thinly  peopled,  it  possessed  a  population 
singularly  well  adapted  to  the  emergencies  of  the  moment.  The  man 
was  almost  identified  with  his  horse,  and  the  latter,  an  exceedingly  active 
and  hardy  animal,  was  capable  of  making  long  marches  in  a  day.  As 
the  distances  were  great,  this  species  of  force  would  obviously  become 
very  formidable,  when  well  conducted  and  amply  supplied.  Although 
the  Americans  had  certainly  a  party  in  the  country,  it  was  small,  and 
confined  to  those  principally  who  dwelt  near  the  great  ports.  The  abor- 
tive movement  of  Commodore  Jones  naturally  made  even  the?  pei-sons 
cautious,  and  it  was  not  difficult,  under  all  the  circumstances  of  the  case, 
for  Governor  Pico,  the  Chief  of  the  staf  ■,  to  rally  a  force  inland  that, 
possessing  rapidity  of  movement  and  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the  country, 
might  render  itself  very  formidable  to  the  dispei'sed  parties  of  the  Amer- 
icans. The  political  capital  of  the  state  was  at  Los  Angelos,  which  is 
less  than  thirty  miles  from  the  sea,  and  near  the  southern  extremity  of 
the  state.  The  local  legislature  being  in  session  at  the  moment  of  the 
invasion,  it  was  in  the  power  of  the  Mexican  authorities,  to  concentrate 
their  efforts  and  to  make  a  rally  for  at  least  the  command  of  the  interior. 

So  important  did  it  seem  to  all  parties  to  secure  this  point,  and  to 
look  down  any  thing  like  opposition  in  that  part  of  the  country,  that, 
even  before  Commodore  Sloat  left  the  station,  preparations  were  naade 
to  effect  this  object.  Captain  Fremont  had  come  in  with  his  party,  and 
a  battalion  of  volunteers  was  formed,  consisting  principally  of  trappers, 
hunters,  and  other  persons  well  suited  for  the  service  that  was  about  to 


I 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1846. 


f 


. 


ilV'' 


be  required  of  them.  Its  numbers  were  about  one  hundred  and  sixty 
men,  and  it  was  regularly  received  into  the  aorvioe  of  the  United  States 
as  a  volunteer  corps. 

When  Commodore  Sloat  left  the  coast  of  Culifornin  for  Panama  in 
the  Levant,  Commodore  Stockton  found  himself  at  the  head  of  a  squad- 
ron, consisting  of  the  Congress  and  Savannah  frigates,  and  the  sloops 
Portsmouth,  Cyane  and  Warren,  together  with  the  store-ship  Erie.  It 
was  thought  necessary  to  keep  the  Portsmouth  still  at  San  Francisco;  the 
Warren  was  yet  lying  at  Mazatlau,  and  the  Erie  was  at  the  Sandwich 
Islands,  leaving  the  Savannah  at  Monterey  fur  its  pratoction  as  the  base 
of  all  the  operations  in  that  region. 

Commodore  Stockton  sailed  in  the  Conffress  on  the  1st  of  August, 
bound  for  San  Pedro,  a  small  port  of  ditllcuit  entrance  for  a  large  "essel, 
nearly  abreast  of  the  capital  of  the  state.  As  the  ship  proceeded  souil; 
a  landing  was  made  at  Santa  Barbara,  where  the  flag  was  shifted  and  a 
small  for^'j  was  left  in  possession.  This  was  in  ©fleet  occupying  every 
available  port  between  Lower  California  and  the  northern  boundary  of 
the  upper  state.  The  Congr&ss  arrived  olf  San  Podi-o  on  the  6th  of 
August ;  the  Cyane  had  previously  reached  Snn  Diego,  a  port  still  further 
south,  where  the  battalion  of  Major  Fremont  had  landed,  principally  wjth 
the  object  of  obtaining  horses,  a  service  not  easily  etlbcted,  as  the  eneriiy 
had  early  taken  precautions  against  the  movement.  A  force  had  been 
organized  on  board  the  frigate  to  form  a  snuill  Iviigade  on  shore,  and 
instant  preparations  were  made  for  landing.  At  this  point  the  Commo- 
dore received  a  communication  from  General  Castro,  who  claimed  to  be 
authorized  to  enter  into  negotiations  with  him ;  l"it  this  step,  being  ac- 
companied with  the  preliminary  demand  that  no  further  movement 
should  be  made  until  these  negotiations  wore  terminated,  had  no  results. 
It  was  so  obviously  the  policy  of  the  Mexicans  to  gain  time,  that  little 
heed  was  given  to  the  representations  of  their  agents.  The  party  on 
shore  was  not  ready  to  proceed  until  the  11  th  of  August,  when  it  marched 
to  the  northward,  or  in  the  direction  of  the  capitjil.  On  the  afternoon 
of  that  very  day,  intelligence  wjis  brought  the  Americans,  that  the  Mex- 
icans had  buried  their  guns,  and  that  all  tlie  functionaries  of  the  govern- 
ment had  retired  inland,  or,  as  it  was  supposed,  toward  Sonora.  On  the 
13th,  the  Commodore  made  a  junction  with  the  battalion  of  Major 
Fremont,  and  the  whole  force  entered  Loa  Angolos  without  opposition, 
in  the  course  of  that  day. 

Commodore  Stockton  now  determined  to  organize  a  civil  government 
for  the  entire  state,  and  to  administer  justice  in  its  name.  At  the  head 
of  this  government  he  placed  Major  Fremont.  Having  effected  these 
arrangements,  he  returned  to  the  coast  on  the  2d  of  September,  re-em- 
barked on  the  3d,  and  sailed  on  the  6tlj,  touching  at  Santa  Barbara,  to 
take  off"  the  small  party  left  there ;  the  sliip  proceeded  to  Monterey,  where 
every  thing  was  found  tranquil,  though  rumors  were  in  circulation  of  an 
intended  rising  among  the  Indiana  at  the  north.  The  Savannah  was 
immediately  sent  up  the  coast,  where  she  was  soon  joined  by  the  Congress 
oft'  San  Francisco.  Here  it  was  ascertained  that  the  rumors  were  false,  and 
that  the  whole  northern  region  of  the  country  was  tranquil.  About  the 
close  of  the  month,  however  a  courier  arrived  from  Captain  Gillespie  of 


1840.] 


NAVAL  HILITORY. 


68 


the  marines,  who  had  been  left  in  command  at  Los  Angulos,  brin^jing  the 
important  intelligence  of  a  fresh  rising  at  that  point,  and  of  hia  being 
besieged  in  the  government  house.     The  Savannah,  Captain  Morvine,  was 
immediately  dispatched  to  San  Pedro,  for  the  purj)ase  of  Hllbrdiiig  suc- 
cor to  the  besieged  party;  steps  were  also  taken  to  form  a  junrtiou  with 
the  corps  of  Major  Fremont  wht  was  up  at  Sacramento  nt  the  time. 
Every  effort  was  made  to  engage  volunteers,  and  a  transport  was  chartered 
to  convey  them  to  the  scene  of  action.     On  the  12th  of  October,  Major 
Fremont  reached  San  Francisco,  and  immediately  enibarketl  on  board 
the  transport  with  his  little  corps.     His  point  of  destination  was  Santa 
Barbara,  where  he  was  directed  to  procure  as  many  horses  as  possible. 
The  Congress  sailed  in  company  Avith  the  transport,  but  thoy  separati>d 
in  a  fog.    Luckily  a  merchant  vessel  from  Monterey,  bound  to  tho  north* 
ward,  was  fallen  in  with  by  the  frigate,  and  dispatches  were  received  from 
Lieutenant  Maddox,  in  command  at  Monterey,  bringing  tho  iniportant 
intelligence  that  the  place  was  threatened  with  an  assault,  and  asking 
assistance.    The  frigate  ran  into  the  bay,  landed  a  party  of  fifty  men, 
and  some  ordnance,  and  immediately  proceedea  on.     On  arriving  otV  San 
Pedro,  the  Congress  joined  the  Savannah,  on  board  of  which  ship  was 
Captain  Gillespie  and  his  whole  party ;  that  officer  having  evacuated  his 
position  in  the  government  house  at  Los  Angelos  under  a  capitulation 
entered  into  with  General  Flores.     Previously  to  this  measure,  however, 
an  unsuccessful  attempt  was  made  by  Captain  Mervine  to  relievo  him. 
A  strong  party  of  seamen  and  marines  had  been  landed,  and  a  march 
was  commenced  upon  tho  capital.     Unfortunately  no  pi-ovision  had  been 
made  of  any  artillery,  and  on  encountering  the  enemy  at  a  distance  of 
some  twelve  miles  from  San  Pedro,  a  smart  skirmish  took  place  between 
the  hostile  forces.    The  Mexicans  had  the  advantage  of  a  field-piece, 
which  they  appear  to  have  used  with  great  discretion  and  spirit.    When- 
ever a  charge  was  made  it  was  carried  oft'  by  the  acti*-e  horvses  of  the 
mounted  men,  reopening  upon  its  assailants  as  soon  as  a  new  and  favor- 
able position  was  gained. 

The  great  disadvantage  under  which  he  was  acting,  and  the  loss  of 
several  valuable  men,  induced  Captain  Mervine  to  fall  back  unoa  San 
Pedro,  and  wait  for  the  Commodore.  A  new  landing  was  made  at  the 
latter  point,  as  soon  as  the  Congress  arrived ;  a  force  of  about  1800  men 
under  General  Flores,  having  been  collected  outside.  Finding  the  road- 
stead of  San  Pedro  too  open,  and  too  much  exposed  to  the  piHivalent 
gales  of  the  season,  although  it  took  him  farther  from  his  gitiat  noint  of 
attack,  the  Commodore  was  induced  to  carry  the  Congress  round  to  San 
Diego,  where  was  an  excellent  harbor  for  such  vessels  as  could  enter  it. 
Nothing  of  the  draught  of  the  Congress,  however,  had  ever  been  known 
to  cross  the  bar.  Every  thing  was  embarked,  therefore,  and  the  ship 
proceeded  to  the  southward.  On  arriving  off  the  harbor  of  San  Diego, 
Commodore  Stockton  received  a  report  from  the  ofKcer  lefl  in  oonmtand, 
that  this  place  too  w^s  besieged  by  the  enemy ;  that  the  stock  of  piH> 
visions  was  running  low ;  and  that  he  required  a  reinforcement.  This 
oflScer  was  of  opinion  that  the  frigate  could  enter  the  bay.  On  making 
the  attempt,  however,  the  ship  struck,  and  she  was  cornj)elled  to  return 
to  the  anchorage  outside^    The  next  day,  a  prize  to  the  Worreu,  the 


1     .I'iflV' 


1  J'; 


64 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1846. 


V 


"Maiek  Adhel,"  anivefl  from  Monterey  with  dispatches  from  Colonel 
Fremont,  who,  ascertaining  the  impossibility  of  procuring  horses  at  the 
southward,  had  returned  to  the  base  of  operations,  and  was  preparing  to 
march  thence,  with  all  his  force,  to  form  a  junction  with  the  Commodore, 
on  his  way  into  the  interior. 

It  was  now  necessary  to  collect  beeves  as  well  oa  horses,  and  the  Sa- 
vannah was  dispatched  to  Monterey  to  furthor  the  preparations  in  that 
quarter.  The  Congress  had  proceeded,  also,  to  San  Pedro,  to  carry  out 
tne  necessary  arrangements,  but  returned  ns  soon  as  possible  to  San 
Diego.  So  great  was  the  anxiety  of  the  Commodore  for  the  situation 
of  the  corps  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Fremont,  that  meeting  with  a  calm  on 
Lis  way  south,  he  sent  in  a  boat  to  San  Diego,  a  distance  of  forty  miles, 
with  a  communication  directed  to  that  officer.  On  reaching  the  port  it 
was  deemed  an  object  of  so  great  importance  to  carry  the  ship  within 
the  bfir,  that  a  second  attempt  was  made  to  cross  it.  This  time  she  suc- 
ceeded, but  she  grounded  when  within  the  bay.  It  was  found  necessary 
to  prepare  spars  for  shoring  her  up,  and  nt  the  moment  while  her  people 
were  thus  occupied,  the  Mexicans  made  an  attack  upon  the  town.  Not- 
withstanding the  necessity,  as  it  might  be,  of  fighting  with  one  hand, 
and  having  a  care  for  the  ship  with  the  other,  the  duty  went  on  with  the 
greatest  activity  and  method.  As  soon  as  a  sufficient  force  could '  le 
landed,  the  enemy  was  repelled  by  a  charge  made  under  the  orders  of 
Lieutenant  Minor  of  the  navy,  and  Captain  Gillespie  of  the  marines. 

Finding  it  necessary  to  recruit  his  horses,  and  to  make  harness,  sad- 
dles, bridles,  &c.,  the  delay  was  improved  in  the  construction  of  a  fort. 
Runners  were  now  sent  out  to  ascertain  the  position  of  the  enemy,  who 
was  discovered  encamped  at  San  Bernardo,  distant  about  thirty  miles. 
Two  expeditions  were  immediately  ordered  to  be  got  ready.  The  one 
under  Captain  Gillespie  to  surprise  the  enemy,  in  their  camp,  and  the 
other  under  Captain  Heasley  of  the  volunteer  corps,  who  was  sent  to  the 
southward  in  quest  of  beeves  and  horses.  The  latter  effected  his  object, 
returning  with  five  hundred  head  of  cattle,  and  nearly  one  hundred  and 
fifty  horses  and  mules.  Before  Captain  Gillespie  was  ready  to  march, 
however,  the  Commodore  received  a  dispatch  from  Brigadier-general 
Kearney  of  the  U.  S.  Army,  who  had  effected  the  passage  of  the  moun- 
tains, at  the  head  of  a  hundred  dragoons,  and  now  appeared  in  Cali- 
fornia, to  take  the  command  of  any  portion  of  the  army  that  might 
have  reached  there. 

The  direction  of  Captain  Gillespie's  movement  was  immediately 
changed,  and  that  officer  was  ordered  to  make  a  junction,  as  soon  as 
possible,  with  this  new  reinforcement.  This  was  on  the  6th  of  Decem- 
ber; the  same  evening  the  Commodore  was  notified  that  an  attack  had 
been  made  by  General  Kearney  upon  a  strong  detachment  of  the 
enemy,  in  their  camp  at  San  Pasqual,  and  it  would  seem  one  that  was 
unsuccessful.  The  following  morning,  this  information  was  in  part  cor- 
roborated; such  an  engagement  having  actually  taken  place,  under 
circumstances  very  favorable  to  the  enemy,  whose  horees  were  opposed 
to  the  broken-down  animals  of  the  American  detachment.  The  Amer- 
icans must  have  lost  near  forty  men  in  killed  and  wounded  in  this  affair. 
Among  the  latter  was  General  Kearney  himself.    This  officer  had  taken 


[1846. 

ihes  from  Colonel 
iring  horses  nt  the 
1  was  preparing  to 
h  the  Commodore, 

orses,  and  the  Sa- 
'eparations  in  that 
Pedro,  to  carry  out 
18  possible  to  San 
re  for  the  situation 
ling  with  a  calm  on 
;nce  of  forty  milef, 
saching  the  port  it 
rry  the  ship  within 
This  time  she  suc- 
ms  found  necessary 
nt  while  her  people 
m  the  town.  Wot- 
ng  with  one  hand, 
;y  went  on  with  the 
ent  force  could '  le 
nder  the  orders  of 
of  the  marines, 
make  harness,  aad- 
istruction  of  a  fort, 
of  the  enemy,  who 
about  thirty  miles. 
>t  ready.  The  one 
heir  camp,  and  the 
vho  was  sent  to  the 
effected  his  object, 

one  hundred  and 
as  ready  to  march, 

Brigadier-general 
ssage  of  the  moun- 

appoared  in  Cali- 

army  that  might 

;  was  immediately 
mction,  as  soon  as 
the  6th  of  Decem- 
that  an  attack  had 
etachment  of  the 
seem  one  that  was 
on  was  in  part  cor- 
aken  place,  under 
Di*ses  were  opposed 
ment.  The  Amer- 
mded  in  this  affair, 
is  ofHcer  bad  taken 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HI8T0BY. 


65 


post  on  an  eminence,  and  where  hd  was  able  to  maintain  himself  until 
relieved. 

Commodore  Stockton  at  first  determined    to  move  with  his  whole 
force,  to  etl'ect  a  junction  with  the  dragoons;  but  learning  the  emergency 
of  the  case,  and  that  the  enemy  was  not  as  strong  as  had  been  reported, 
the  plan  was  changed  to  sending  a  quicker  moving  detachment,  em- 
bracing only  a  portion  of  the  force  on  shore.    Rather  more  than  two 
hundred  men  marched  that  night  under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant  Gray. 
This  party  effected  its  object,  and  General  Kearney  and  his  whole  party 
entered  the  works  at  San  Diego,  a  few  hours  later.     An  arrangement 
was  now  made  between  the  Commodore  and  the  General,  by  which  tho 
direction  of  the  military  detiiils  was  to  bo  assumed  by  tho  latter  ofHcer, 
while  the  former  of  course  retained  his  authority,  as  the  officer  in  com- 
mrnd  of   the  squadron,  whether  employed   afloat  or  on  shore.     This 
delicate  arrangement  led  to  some  subsequent  misunderetandings  between 
the  two  commanders,  though  tlieir  duty  would  seem  to  have  been  carried 
on  with  perfect  accord  and  zeal  so  long  as  an  enemy  appeared  before 
them.     It  wouM  seem  that  General  Kearney  had  arrived  under  the  im- 
pression that  he  was  to  be  civil  governor  of  the  newly  conquered  terri- 
tory; while  Commodore  Stockton  was  not  disposed  to  yield  his  authority 
80  Jong  as  it  was  found  necessary  to  employ  any  material  portion  of  tho 
crews  of  the  shipping  ashore.     At  a  later  day  this  controversy  led  to 
some  unpleasant  collisions,  more  especially  between    General   Kearney 
and  Lieutenant-colonel   Fremont,  his  subordinate  in   the  line  of  the 
army ;  but  as  they  belong  rather  to  the  general  history  of  the  country 
than  to  a  work  of  the  character  of  this,  we  shall  not  dwell  on  their 
consequences  here. 

Ou  the  29th  of  December,  the  party  of  Commodore  Stockton  was 
ready  to  march.  Altogether  it  mustered  a  force  of  about  six  hundred 
men.  Owing  to  the  mountainous  character  of  the  country,  and  the  great 
watchfulness  rendered  necessary  by  tho  activity  of  the  enemy,  he  did  not 
reach  the  San  Gabriel,  until  the  evening  of  the  Vth  of  January.  Here 
the  Mexicans  had  erected  batteries,  and  prepared  to  make  a  stand.  The 
following  day  the  Americans  crossed  the  river  to  the  north  bank,  here 
they  found  a  force  of  five  hundred  men  and  four  pieces  of  artillery 
ready  to  receive  them.  The  guns  were  placed  in  very  favorable  positions, 
while  the  remainder  of  the  Mexicans,  altogether  cavalry,  were  so  posted 
as  to  command  each  flank  of  their  assailants.  Reaching  the  margin  of 
the  stream,  the  Commodore  dismounted,  and  led  the  troops  over  in  per- 
son, under  a  smart  fire  from  the  enemy's  artillery.  A  charge  up  the 
hill,  on  the  opposite  bank,  was  next  made,  and  the  position  carried, 
driving  the  enemy  and  his  guns  before  it.  At  this  moment  the  enemy 
made  an  attempt  to  cut  off  the  pack-horses  and  beeves,  in  tho  rear,  but 
the  steadiness  of  the  guard  repulsed  them.  As  soon  as  the  American 
guns  were  in  position  on  the  heights,  a  smart  canuonading  commenced, 
on  both  sides,  but  soon  terminated  by  forcing  the  enemy  from  the  field. 
The  result  of  this  handsome  day's  work,  was  the  ol'taining  of  the  com- 
plete commaid  of  the  Mexican  position,  where  the  Americans  encamped 
for  the  night.  The  next  day,  the  party  of  Commodore  Stockton  ad- 
vanced upon  the  town,  where  it  was  again  met  by  General  Flores  on  the 


ik|t| 


wm 


60 


NAVAL  niSTOUT. 


[IU47. 


plains  of  Mesa.  A  hot  cannonnding  Huccoeded,  and  the  Mexicans  made 
several  nttempbi  to  cliarge,  but  could  never  be  broug;lit  within  l\(ly  vards 
of  the  American  liijes.  After  a  6nul  etturt,  General  Flurea  abandoned 
the  defence,  and  moved  off  in  the  diractiuu  of  Sonora,  accumpaniod  bj 
most  of  his  princij>al  uftlcei-s. 

As  the  enemy  iiad  been  greatly  encouraged  by  the  rough  treatment 
be  had  given  the  detachment  of  dragoonn,  under  General  Kearney,  and 
by  tlie  si'cceas  of  his  expedient  in  the  ropulso  of  the  party  under  Captain 
Mervine,  the  result  of  these  two  very  handsumo  atfans,  produced  such  a 
reaction  as  at  once  to  look  down  every  thing  like  resistance. 

Shortly  after  re-entering  Los  Angelos,  Conmiodore  Stockton  was 
joined  by  Colonel  Fremont,  increasing  his  force  to  near  one  thousand 
men.  A  new  negotiation  was  now  entered  into  with  Don  Andres  Pico, 
the  Californian  governor,  by  which  the  Mexicans  stipulated  to  lay  down 
their  arms,  and  yield  quiet  possession  of  the  province.  Throughout  the 
whole  of  the  foregoing  moveiiients,  Commodore  Stockton  exhibited  an 
activity,  energy,  and  spirit  that  would  have  done  no  discredit  to  the 
ind  itigable  Preble.  Ho  and  his  ship  seem  to  havo  been  everywhere, 
and  whatever  may  be  the  decision  of  military  etiquette  as  between  the 
rival  competitors  for  thu  command  of  this  successful  expedition  against 
the  enemy's  capital,  there  can  bo  no  misapprehension  on  one  subject,  and 
that  is,  that  the  Commodore  was  in  the  thickest  of  the  fray,  and  ani- 
mated his  men,  not  only  by  his  presence  but  by  a  very  brilliant  pereonal 
example.  According  to  every  usage  with  wliich  we  are  acquainted,  sea- 
officers  can  never  come  under  the  cuiiiiiiand  of  soldiers.  The  nautical 
profession  requires  a  peculiar  and  specific  knowledge,  and  s(>ntnen  can 
only  be  used,  even  on  shore,  with  a  due  regard  to  their  habits  and  pre- 
judices. There  was,  however,  a  peculiar  claim  on  the  part  of  the  navy 
to  most  of  the  credit  of  the  military  movements  in  front  of  Los  Angolos. 
The  seamen  and  marines  composed  the  greater  portion  of  the  American 
force,  and  the  officers  of  the  service  lield  the  most  important  subordinate 
commands  in  the  detachment.  Doubtless  an  officer  as  accomplislied  and 
as  brave  as  General  Kearney,  must  have  been  of  great  assistance  on  such 
an  occasion;  but  we  confess  we  see  no  admitted  rule  of  service  short  of 
positive  orders  from  home,  that,  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the 
war  in  that  province,  at  that  particular  moment,  could  have  justified 
Commodore  Stockton  in  carrying  on  the  sort  of  expedition  in  which  he 
was  ihou  engaged,  without  retaining  his  full  authority  over  all  who  were 
engaged  in  it,  and  who  belonged  to  the  navy  proper. 

Commodore  Stockton  virtually  assumed  the  command  near  the  close 
of  July,  and  the  whole  of  the  succeeding  five  months  was  on  his  part,  a 
scene  of  as  great  exertion,  and  as  bold  an  assumption  of  responsibility, 
as  ever  yet  characterized  the  service  of  any  man  under  the  flag.  We 
conceive  the  whole  of  these  movements,  marked  as  they  were  by  so  much 
decision  and  enterprise,  to  have  been  highly  creditable  to  the  American 
arms,  and  particularly  so  to  that  branch  of  the  service  of  which  we  are 
writing. 

Shortly  after,  hearing  of  the  arrival  of  his  senior  officer  at  Monterey, 
Commodore  Stockton  struck  his  penrant  on  board  the  Congress,  aod 
finding  a  party  about  to  cross  the  Rocky  Mountains,  returned  by  that 


^ 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


67 


route  to  the  Unitocl  States.  The  furce  that  Commodore  Shubrick  found 
uodor  hit  ordera  on  aaauming  the  command  of  the  Pacific  M^uadron, 
consiflted  of  his  own  flhip,  the  Indopondoiice  C4 ;  the  Congrcwt  44,  to 
the  command  of  which  vewicl  ho  a^taigned  Captain  Lavalette,  lato  in  the 
Independence;  the  Savannah  44,  Portsmouth  20,  Warren  20,  Cyane 
20,  Preble  16,  and  Dale  10.      , 

A  few  day*  after  his  own  orrivni.  tha  Lexington,  store^hip,  came  in 
from  the  Atlantic  coast;  thin  vuhhoI  brought  a  company  of  regular  artil- 
lery.    Aa  soon  aa  the  latter  landed,  all  the  seamen  wore  withdrawn  from 
tlio  fort,  and  the  town  was  lei't  in  the  care  of  the  artillery  and  marines. 
Similar  arrangemeiita  were  made  at  San  Francisco,  where,  however,  the 
Warreu  was  loft,  the  whole  force  being  under  the  orders  of  Commander 
Hull.    The  peafton  of  the  year  wjis  still  too  early  to  carry   ships  into- 
the  Gulf  of  California,  but  preparations  wore  now  made  to  move  the 
whole  of  the  available  foi^e  afloat,  in  that  direction  as  soon  as  it  would 
bo  piudent  to  do  so.    TLo  Congress  wa^  kept  cruising  at  the  southward^ 
and  indeed  most  of  the  active  vessels  were  moving  up  and  down  the- 
coast,  looking  out  for  privateers,  and  >  '<ndering  such  services  as  were  in 
their  power.     Toward  the    lose  of  >V*pteinbov  Capl.iin  Lavulette  went 
into  the  Gulf  with  his  own  ship  and  the  Pot  -'mouth,  and  on  the  lOtb 
of  October  the  Independence  sailed  in  cor j'i'iy  with  the  Cyano  to  join 
him  oft*  Caj)e  San  Lucas.    This  junction  v/;i8  made  on  the  29tb,  when 
Captain  Lavalette  i '.'ported  the  res :  ^    ""  his  successful  ;  ttempt  made  oa 
the  town  of  Guaymas,  nearly  at  tie  h*  ad  of  the  (iulf.    The  place  had 
a  considerable  force,  and   works  of  r&spectablo  extent,  but  Captaitt 
Lavalette  took  his  frigate,  and  the  sloop  of  war  within  fair  range  of  the 
enemy's  guns,  planting  two  pieces  of  heavy  artillery  also,  on  a  couple  of 
islands  that  were  favorably  situated  for  such  a  purpose.     After  a  cannon- 
ading of  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  which  commenced  at  sunrise  the 
next  morning,  a  white  flag  was  hoisted  from  the  shore.     It  appeared 
that  the  enemy  had  evacuated  the  place,  which  indeed  was  now  aban- 
doned  by   all  of  the  inhabitauts.     After  some  negotiation,   Captain 
Lavalette  caused  all  the  batteries  on  the  water-front  of  the  town  to  be 
blown  up.     On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  it  being  reported  by  the 
officer  in  command  on  shore,  that  General  Campujano  vaa  marching 
upon  the  place  with  n  ,  ery  considerable  force,  including  artillery  and 
lancers,  parties  were  i:aown  on  shore  in  readiness  to  rneef  him;   the 
enemy,  however,  abandoned  bis  intention  of  attack,  ascertaining  now 
that  the  troops  of  Campujano,  some  three  or  four  hundred  regulars  with 
the  same  number  of  militia  and  Indians,  were  rapidly  deserting  and 
disbanding;;  themselves.     Captain  Lavalette  now  left  Commander  Mont- 
gomery in  the  Portsmouth  to  look  out  for  the  port  of  Guaymas,  and  ran 
over  to  Loreto  to  meet  the  Dale,  which  vessel  he  expected  to  find  at  that 
place,  on  his  way  to  join  Commodore  Shubrick  oft'  San  Lucas. 
[This  is  the  conclusion  of  the  portion  dictated  by  Mr.  Cooper.] 
Before  proceeding  in  the  regular  order  of  time,  it  here  becomes  neces- 
sary to  go  back  lo  the  year  1846,  in  order  to  notice  some  actions  in 
which  the  sloop  of  war  Cyane,  Commander  Du  Pont,  was  creditably 
concerned.    This  vessel,  having  in  the  month  of  July  landed  the  detach- 
ment of  Major  Fremont  at  San  Diego,  remained  for  a  time  on  the  coast 


m 


t 


■:"''.■, 


■'V  ^ 


68 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1846. 


''■i:  '^ 

is':- 


of  California,  when  she  was  sent  down  on  blockading  duty  to  the  main 
coast  of  Mexico.  She  arrived  at  San  Bias  on  the  2d  of  September. 
Here  a  party  was  sent  on  shore  under  the  command  of  Lieut  Rowan, 
which  spiked  all  the  guns  that  could  be  found  at  the  place,  amounting 
to  twenty-four  in  all,  and  varying  in  calibre  from  twelves  to  thirty-twos. 
They  were  not  all,  however,  in  a  serviceable  condition. 

It  was  not  the  policy  of  the  commander-in-chief  at  this  time  to  take 
permanent  possession  of  any  points  on  this  distant  part  of  the  coast,  as 
the  force  under  his  orders  was  insufficient  for  such  a  purpose,  at  least 
while  Upper  Califoniia  required  such  constant  attention.  The  duty  of 
the  ships  was  therefore  confined  to  watching  the  ports,  and  enforcing  the 
blockade  as  efficiently  as  possible.  More  active  employment  was  occasion- 
ally found,  in  hindering  the  military  preparations  of  the  Mexicans,  and  in 
destroying  such  means  of  defence,  as  it  was  within  the  reach  and  capacity 
of  a  small  naval  force  successfully  to  attack.  The  Cyane,  therefore,  kept 
to  the  northward,  touching  at  Mazatlan,  where  the  Wan-en  was  engaged 
in  blockading,  thence  running  into  the  Gulf  of  California,  making  the 
poi-ts  of  La  Paz  and  Mulejd  From  the  latter  place  it  was  found  that  a 
Mexican  gun-boat  had  lately  sailed,  going,  it  was  supposed,  across  to 
Guaymas.  Thither  the  Cyane  followed,  and  anchored  in  the  inner  harhor 
on  the  6th  of  October.  A  battalion  of  troops  of  the  line,  witk  field 
aitillery,  was  posted  in  the  town,  and,  in  connection  with  the  national 
guard,  formed  a  body  of  five  hundred  soldiere.  Commander  Du  Pont 
immediately  sent  a  communication  to  the  Mexican  commander,  informing 
him  of  the  declaration  of  a  general  blockade,  and  of  the  lenient  terms 
which  had  been  granted  to  other  places,  on  condition  of  not  taking  an 
active  part  in  hostilities,  and  demanding  the  surrender  of  the  two  gun- 
boats, which  were  lying  in  the  harbor.  A  surrender  of  the  gun-boats  was 
refused,  when  the  American  commander  sent  a  message,  that  he  would  be 
obliged  to  take  them  by  force.  From  most  commendable  motives  of  hu- 
manity, he  expressed  his  desire  not  to  be  compelled  to  fire  upon  the  town, 
jet  he  informed  the  Mexican  commander  that  xesistance  would  oblige  him 
to  retaliate  in  this  manner.  In  the  mean  time,  and  before  an  attack  could 
be  made  upon  them,  the  Mexicans  set  fire  to  the  g-un-boats,  and  they  were 
entirely  consumed.  A  Mexican  brig,  howevei',  was  left  unharmed,  under 
the  idea  that  she  was  in  too  strong  a  position  to  be  in  danger  of  being  cut 
out.  Being  a  lawful  prize,  and,  if  left,  likely  to  be  of  service  to  the  en- 
emy in  conveying  military  supplies,  the  American  officer  determined  to 
cut  her  out.  She  was  anchored  in  a  cove,  foraied  by  a  long  projecting 
point  of  land.  She  was  hauled  close  in  toward  the  houses,  within  pistol 
shot  of  them,  with  two  streets  opening  upon  her,  one  of  which  led  down 
from  the  barracks  where  the  troops  were  posted.  These  barracks  were 
situated  behind  a  mound  of  earth ;  so  that  the  Mexicans  might  with  reason 
have  supposed  that  the  brig  was  too  well  protected  to  be  liable  to  an  at- 
tack. It  would  be  necessary,  should  the  brig  be  successfully  carried,  to 
tow  her  for  some  distance  in  ifront  of  this  sti'ong  position,  before  she  could 
bear  away  from  it. 

The  Cyane  was  hauled  in  as  close  as  possible  to  the  town,  for  it  was 
apparent,  that,  should  the  enemy  be  at  all  bold  and  active,  the  brig  could 
be  carried  and  brought  out  by  the  boats,  only  under  a  well-tliiected  and 


1846.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


69 


spirited  fire  from  the  ship.     The  party  sent  in  was  embarked  in  the 
launch  and  one  of  the  cuttei-s,  and  was  under  the  command  of  Lieut  G. 
W.  Harrison,  with  acting  Lieut  Higgins,  and  Midshipmen  Lewis  and 
Crabb.    They  rowed  steadily  in,  and  succeeded  in  boarding  the  brig,  and 
m  cutting  her  chain  cable;  the  ship,  meanwhile,  keeping  up  a  heavy  fire 
upon  that  part  of  the  town  where  the  troops  were  stationed.     The  brig 
being  now  in  possession,  and  the  Mexicans  thus  far  ottering  no  resistance, 
Commander  Du  Pont,  wishing  to  do  as  little  injury  to  the  town  as  possi- 
ble, ordered  the  firing  to  cease.     Immediately  on  this  the  enemy  rushed 
forth  from  his  lurking  places,  and  opened  a  sharp  fire  with  artillery  and 
musketry  upon  the  bri<^  and  the  boats.     This  compelled  a  reply;  and  the 
ship,  brig  and  boats  all  poured  in  a  fire  upon  the  town,  which  forced  the 
troops  back  to  their  cover.     During  this  time  the  boats  and  the  brig  had 
so  far  changed  their  position  that  they  now  came  within  the  range  of  the 
sh'p's  fire.     This  made  a  cessation  of  the  firing  again  necessary;  and,  as 
beibre,  the  courage  of  the  Mexicans  revived,  and  their  troops  once  more 
rallied  to  the  attack.     A  company  of  Indians  also  had  made  out  to  get 
round  the  cove,  and  took  up  a  position  from  which  they  added  a  cross-fire 
to  the  severity  of  the  main  attack.     Though  involving  considerable  haz- 
ard to  those  in  the  brig  and  boats,  the  American  commander  was  again 
obliged  to  use  the  guns  of  the  ship.     In  this  instance  the  shells  especially 
were  thrown  with  great  i-apidity  and  precision,  and  producing  consterna- 
tion by  bursting,  speedily  silenced  the  fire  from  the  shore.     In  the  mean 
time  the  brig  had  been  set  fii-e  to  by  the  captoi-s ;  yet  she  was  brought 
out  and  towed  into  a  cove  near  by,  where  she  was  entirely  consumed. 
The  coolness  and  gallantry  of  Lieut  Harrison  and  the  officera  and  men 
with  him,  elicited  high  praise  from  the  Commander  of  the  Cyane. 

Leaving  the  Gulf  the  Cyane  ran  down  to  Mazatlan,  where  she  relieved 
the  Warren,  and  was  employed  for  some  time  in  watching  this  port,  the 
most  important  then  on  the  entire  western  coast  of  North  America.  In 
consequence  of  the  veiy  close  blockade  which  was  maintained,  the  town 
was  suffering  somewhat  from  scarcity,  and  a  ti'affic  was  attempted  by 
means  of  small  vessels  nmning  up  the  Gulf,  in  order  to  supply  the  place 
with  flour.  These  vessels  could  keep  near  the  shore,  where  from  the 
nature  of  the  coast  a  ship  of  war  could  not  reach  them.  Landing  their 
cargoes  in  the  outer  or  old  harbor,  they  could  relieve  the  wants  of  the 
town.  Large  bodies  of  troops  were  also  posted  at  Mazatlan,  and  with 
guns  in  battery,  and  with  field  artilleiy  they  could  give  efficient  cover  to 
the  vessels  as  they  ran  well  in  along  the  coast  Such  a  traffic  could  only 
be  broken  up  by  attacks  made  in  the  boats  of  the  ship ;  and  much  active 
and  arduous  service  was  perforaied  by  the  officers  and  men  in  this  nian- 
ner.  The  parties  in  the  boats  succeeded  on  two  occasions  in  cutting  off^four 
small  vessels  from  the  harbor,  aiid  forced  them  through  the  breakers  on 
to  the  beach,  where  they  were  deserted.  On  the  second  occasion,  as  the 
ship's  boats  were  returaing  from  their  work,  four  boats,  two  of  them 
launches,  and  having  on  board  sixty  soldiers,  put  out  from  the  harbor  for 
the  pui-pose  of  inteiwpting  the  men  from  the  Cyane.  The  Cyane  s  boats 
on  this  occasion  were  her  three  smallest,  and  were  under  the  command 
of  Lieut  Harrison.  The  ship  was  not  in  a  position  to  cover  them. 
Notwithstanding  the  odds  they  gallantly  formed  in  lino  and  bore  down 


70 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847. 


t. 


I 


upon  the  Mexicans.  The  encounter  was  sharp,  the  Mexicans  for  a  time 
maintaining  a  vigorous  fire;  but  they  finally  broke  their  order  of  battle, 
ran  their  boats  on  shore,  and  fled  to  the  cover  of  the  bushes.  On  both 
these  occasions  the  Mexicans  were  aided  by  artillery  on  the  shore,  while 
the  guns  of  the  Cyane  could  render  no  assistance  to  her  parties  in  the 
boats. 

The  Cyane  was  very  eflScient  in  making  captures  while  occupied  in 
blockade  duty  at  various  points.  She  took  possession  of  twenty-three  ves- 
sels of  all  kinds,  brigs,  brigantines,  schooners  and  smaller  craft,  either 
Mexican,  sailing  under  Mexican  colors,  or  neutrals  boldly  running  the 
blockade. 

In  November,  1847,  the  Dale,  Commander  Selfridge,  was  sent  to 
Guaymas  to  relieve  Commander  Montgomery,  in  the  Portsmouth;  the 
latter  vessel  joining  the  main  squadron. 

The  flag  was  now  flying  at  La  Paz,  in  the  province  of  Lower  Califor- 
nia, protected  by  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  and  ten  men  of  the  regi- 
ment of  New  York  volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-colonel 
Burton.  In  the  month  of  November,  it  was  also  hoisted  at  San  Josd, 
in  the  same  province,  while  the  flag-ship  was  oflf  that  place.  This  W's 
done  at  the  earnest  request  of  friendly  citizens,  in  order  that  they  might 
be  protected  from  the  insurrectionists,  who  were  now  moving  in  thajt  re- 
gion. Lieut.  Charles  Heywood,  with  four  passed  midshipmen  and  twenty 
marines,  was  placed  in  command  of  this  post.  He  was  also  furnished 
with  a  nine-pounder  carronade,  and  some  fire-arms  to  be  loaned  in  an 
emergency  to  friendly  Californians.  He  posted  his  force  in  an  old  mis- 
sion-house, situated  on  the  higher  portion  of  the  town. 

On  the  8th  of  November  Com.  Shubrick  left  San  Jose  and  stood  over 
to  the  coast  of  Mexico,  with  the  Independonce,  the  Congress,  and  the 
Cyane.  His  destii  i^lm  was  Mazatlan,  and  his  object  was  the  capture  of 
this  important  city  au-i  the  diversion  of  its  commercial  revenues  into  the 
treasury  of  the  United  States. 

Mazatlan  contained  at  that  time  about  eleven  thousand  inhabitants,  and 
was  occupied  by  Colonel  Telles,  with  a  force  of  from  nine  hundred  to 
twelve  hundred  regular  troops.  It  has  been  known  to  yield  three  millions 
of  dollars  revenue  to  the  Mexican  government  in  one  year.  It  was  within 
easy  reach  of  reinforcements  from  states  which  had  contributed  no  quota 
to  the  war,  and  it  was  known  there  that  its  occupation  by  the  squadron 
was  contemplated.  The  following  description  of  the  occupation  is  taken 
from  the  accounts  of  competent  eye-witnesses : 

"  On  the  10th  of  November,  in  the  afternoon,  the  ships  came  in  sight 
of  the  town.  The  position  of  each  had  been  assigned  and  marked  on  a 
plan  of  the  coast  and  harbor,  furnished  to  the  commanders.  The  wind, 
however,  was  moderate,  and  the  commander-in-chief  inquired  if  the  ships 
cotild  take  their  positions  after  dark,  and  being  answered  in  the  affirma- 
tive directed  them  to  proceed.  The  Congress  led  off  in  fine  style  to 
that  bend  in  the  coast  outside,  known  as  the  old  harbor,  where,  the  shore 
being  low,  she  could  command  some  of  the  avenues  leading  from  the 
town,  and  effectually  cover  the  landing,  should  the  surf  permit  that  point 
to  be  selected.  It  was  a  hazardous  anchorage,  but  an  important  position, 
and  boldly  taken.    The  flag-ship  stood  for  another  slight  bend  in  the 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


a 


peninsula  on  which  Mazatlan  is  situated,  and  where  a  break  in  the 
coast-range  exposes  to  view  from  the  westward,  the  most  important  part 
of  the  town,  and  which  she  brought  to  bear  immediately  under  her  guns. 

"  The  Cyane  kept  on  to  get  her  station  in  the  new  harbor,  her  hght 
draft  enabhng  her  to  get  sufficiently  close  to  the  bar  for  her  eight-inch  guns 
to  reach  the  wharf,  and  cover  the  landing,  should  that  point  be  selected. 
The  Independence  in  her  majestic  might,  just  swinging  rouii  ,  showing 
her  gun-deck  tier  of  lights,  and  her  stern  jjmost  in  the  rollers,  })re8entetl 
a  most  imposing  spectacle,  a  ship  never  having  anchored  tliere  before. 
An  English  vessel  of  war  was  at  anchor  in  the  harbor,  and  the  manner 
in  which  the  ships  took  their  positions,  and  invested  the  town,  drew  high 
encomiums  from  her  commander  and  officers. 

"Early  on  the  morning  of  the  11th,  Mazatlan  was  summoned  to 
surrender.  Captain  Lavalette,  the  second  in  command,  bearing  the  com- 
munication from  Commodore  Shubrick.  Colonel  Telles,  the  military 
commandant,  tore  the  summons  up,  with  insolent  threats.  On  the  return 
of  Captain  Lavalette  orders  were  issued  for  an  immediate  landing.  The 
height  of  the  surf  forbade  the  attempt  to  be  made  outside,  and  the  usual 
place  of  landing  inside  of  the  harbor,  was  designated.  The  boats  of  the 
Independence,  Congress,  and  Erie,  which  ship,  under  the  conniuuid  of 
Lieut.  Watson,  had  anchored  in  the  offing  a  day  or  two  previous,  were 
joined  on  entering  the  harbor  by  those  of  the  Cyane,  and  this  ship  had 
her  broadside  sprung,  to  cover  the  landing,  if  necessary.  The  boats  en- 
tered the  harbor  in  three  lines,  commanded  by  the  officere  of  the  respective 
ships,  the  whole  under  the  direction  of  the  commander-in-chief  in  person. 
A  division  of  the  Congress,  under  Lieutenant  John  T.  Livingston,  had 
charge  of  the  artillery,  five  pieces,  captured  in  Upper  California,  and 
mounted  on  board  that  ship.  The  many  points  advantageous  for  defence 
which  presented  themselves,  the  heights  near  the  landing,  the  streets,  and 
the  houses  with  terraces,  warned  the  assailants  that  no  precaution  should 
be  neglected.  The  men  were  on  shore  in  a  twinkling,  and  the  companies 
form^,  while  the  artillery  was  landing.  The  whole  force,  about  six  hun- 
pred  strong,  then  marched  through  the  town  to  the  Juartel,  sitiwited  on  a 
mound,  overlooking  the  surrounding  country,  on  the  walls  of  which  the 
American  flag  was  hoisted,  under  a  salute  of  tw<'Uty-oi,a  guns  from  the 
Independence. 

"  Colonel  Telles,  with  his  whole  force,  had  retreated  >n  the  approach  of 
the  Americans.  No  laurels  were  reaped,  no  blood  was  shed,  but  the  cap- 
ture was  important;  it  brouglit  home  to  the  Mexican  that  his  toumiorcial 
emporium  in  the  west  had  shared  the  fate  of  the  one  in  the  east,  wliilo 
the  American  flag  waved  over  the  national  palace  in  his  cajiital.  Prompt 
measures  were  taken  for  the  defence  and  holding  of  Mazatlan,  and  for  its 
municipal  government  Captain  Lavalette  was  made  governor,  and  a 
garrison  of  seamen  and  marines  established.  A  commission,  consisting 
of  Commander  Du  Pont,  Lieutenant  Chatard,  Pui-sor  Price,  and  Mr. 
Thomas  Miller,  arranged  with  the  municipal  Junta  the  terms  of  occupa- 
tion. The  ships  moved  into  the  harbor;  the  custom-house  was  opened 
and  organized,  and  a  tariff  of  duties,  modified  to  suit  the  trade  of  the 
coast,  was  established.  Mr.  H.  W.  Greene,  pui-ser  of  the  Indei)endence, 
appointed  collectors,  under  whose  judicious  management,  assisted  by  Mr. 


iiiir'  '* 


i:; 


72 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847. 


1^ 


i 


'M 


Speeden,  purser  of  the  Congress.  moTh  than  a  quarter  of  a  million  of  dollars 
of  duties,  was  collected  in  ti  v^e  months." 

The  precise  and  judicious  arrangements  for  the  capture  of  this  import- 
ant point  made  by  Com.  Shuorick,  toHect  great  credit  upon  the  capacity 
of  that  officer,  and  the  efficiency  and  steadiness  with  which  these  airange- 
menta  were  earned  out  so  successfully,  are  indicative  of  the  good  qualities . 
of  the  respective  commanders,  and  of  the  officeis  and  men  undei  their 
orders.  There  ie.  no  doubt  that  the  skill  and  ability  manifested  in  the 
disposition  of  the  forces,  in  connection  with  the  uniform  success  of  the 
American  arms  over  every  portion  of  the  v.ide  field  of  this  war,  led  the 
Mexican  commander  to  withdraw  a  body  of  troops,  which  might  have 
given  swious  trouble  to  the  invaders,  and  might  not  havo  left  them  the 
Satisfaction  of  a  blotxUess  victory. 

Commerce  soon  resumed  its  wonted  activity,  but  trading  with  the  inte- 
rior was  interfered  with  by  the  troops  of  Colonel  Telles,  who  still  occupied 
a  position  a  fcAv  miles  from  the  city.  Several  attempts  were  made  to  open 
the  communication  with  the  country,  but  no  general  action  was  risked. 
On  the  20th  of  November,  two  parties,  one  on  land,  of  ninety-four  sailors 
mider  Lieut.  Selden,  and  the  other  in  boats,  consisting  of  sixty-two  men 
under  Lieut.  Rowan,  were  sent  to  dispense  a  body  of  the  enemy  posted 
about  ten  miles  out.  The  attack  was  commenced  at  daylight,  and' vas 
quite  wannly  resisted  by  the  enemy ;  but  it  was  soon  completely  successful, 
the  Mexicans  breaking  in  confusion  before  the  impetuous  charge  of  the 
seamen,  and  throwing  away  tlieir  arms  in  their  flight.  The  Americans  lost 
one  man  killed,  and  three  officers  and  seventeen  men  wounded ;  the  loss 
of  the  enemy  being  seven  killed,  and  twenty-five  or  thirty  wounded. 
These  sorties  drove  the  Mexicans  further  back,  and  left  the  roads  more  free. 
For  some  time  a  large  garrison  was  maintained  on  shore,  and  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  a  strong  naval  force  was  at  anchor  in  the  bay.  Strong 
redoubts  were  also  constricted,  and  mounted  on  the  land  side  of  the 
town ;  so  that  had  the  enemy  made  an  attempt  to  regain  possession  of  it, 
with  any  force  at  his  command,  he  would,  without  doubt,  have  been 
promptly  repulsed.  In  consequence  of  the  large  force  required  at  Mazat- 
lan,  and  the  necessity  of  sending  reinforcements  to  Lower  California,  Com. 
Shubrick  was  unable  to  take  jX)8se8sion  of  the  other  Mexican  ports  farther 
to  the  south,  as  had  been  contemplated  in  his  original  plan. 

Events  in  the  mean  time  occurring  in  Sonora  and  Lower  California, 
recall  our  attention  to  those  provinces.  It  has  been  stated  that  the  Djile, 
Commander  Selfridge,  was  ordered  to  Guaymas,  province  of  Sonora,  to 
retain  possession  of  that  port.  On  his  way  thither,  this  officer  learned 
that  insurrectionary  movements  were  on  foot  at  Mulej^,  on  the  eastern 
coast  of  Lower  California.  Troops  and  munitions  of  war  were  carried  from 
Mexico,  across  the  gulf,  to  this  place.  When  the  Dale  arrived  there,  it 
was  found  that  the  region  was  in  possession  of  Mexican  troops,  to  the 
number  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  or  more,  headed  by  a  chief  called 
Pineda.  The  broadside  of  the  ship  was  sprung  so  as.  to  command  the 
shores  of  a  creek,  up  which  Lieut.  Craven  proceedetl,  with  four  boats  and 
fifty  men,  to  cut  out  a  Bohooner.  This  was  done  without  resistance,  though 
large  numbers  of  Mexicans  were  in  sight.  The  next  day,  October  1st, 
the  same  officer,  with  the  marines  and  fifty  sailors,  landed  on  the  right 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


73 


f  a  million  of  dollars 


bank  of  the  creek,  and  scoured  the  valley  to  the  distance  of  nearly  three 
inilea.  They  were  frequently  assailed  by  the  enemy  in  ambuscade,  but 
they  steadily  advanced,  driving  the  latter  before  them.  At  the  same  time, 
the  battery  of  the  ship  kept  up  a  fire  of  round  shot  and  shell,  which  aided 
greatly  in  forcing  the  Mexicans  back.  They  abandoned  the  village  and 
retreated  up  the  valley  to  a  distance  where,  through  fear  of  being  led 
into  an  ambuscade,  it  was  not  thought  prudent  to  follow  them.  The 
troops  returned  to  the  ship  without  the  loss  of  a  man,  and  with  but  two 
slightly  wounded.  We  shall  hear  more  of  these  Mexican  forces  hereafter. 
From  this  time  for  several  months,  Pineda  was  the  active  leader  of  a 
threatening  insurrection  in  this  province,  which,  without  being  successful 
against  the  American  forces,  infhcted  great  evils  upon  the  peaceably  dis- 
posed inhabitants.  A  small  schooner  was  hired  and  placed  under  the 
command  of  Lieut  Craven,  for  the  purpose  of  cniising  in  this  part  of  the 
gulf,  and  preventing  intercourse  with  the  main  shore  of  Mexico. 

The  Dale  arrived  at  Guaymas  on  the  8th  of  November,  and  relieved  the 
Portsmouth  from  the  duty  of  guarding  that  port.     The  enemy's  forces  in 
this  vicinity  had  now  increased  to  a  considerable  amount,  being  probably 
not  less  than  a  thousand  men.     Commander  Selfridge  had  not  men 
enough  to  garrison  the  town,  so  that  the  flag  was  kept  flying  on  an  island 
under  the  guns  of  his  ship.     The  enemy  sought  in  large  force  to  gain  a 
lodgment  in  the  town,  but  the  shot  and  shell  from  the  ship  rendered  this 
position  not  veiy  tenable.     On  the    l7th  of  November,  Commander 
Selfridge,  supposing  that  there  were  none  of  the  enemy  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood,  landed  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  sixty-five  marines  and 
geamen.    They  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  they  were  assailed  with  a 
volley  of  musketry  from  a  house.     A  ball  A^unded  Commander  Selfridge 
severely  in  the  foot,  obliging  him  to  relinquish  the  command  to  Lieut 
Smith,  and  to  return  to  the  ship.     The  latter  officer  now  found  himself 
engaged  with  about  three  hundred  of  the  enemy,  who  met  him  Avitlj  a 
brisk  fire  and  some  good  show  of  resistance.    The  fire  of  the  httle  force 
of  marines  and  seamen  was,  however,  deUvered  with  such  rapidity  and 
precision,  that  the  enemy  soon  began  to  retreat  precipitately.    The  fire 
from  the  ship  was  also  opened,  and  began  to  be  felt     The  Mexicans  were 
now  in  hopeless  confusion,  and  evacuated  the  town  in  all  possible  haste; 
but  the  American  detachment  was  not  suflScient  to  follow  them  up  with 
effect     In  this  creditabl    ;)ction  the  Americans  suffered  no  injury,  with 
the  exception  of  the  wound  of  the  commander;  while  the  loss  of  the  en- 
emy must  have  been  not  less  than  thirty  killed  and  wounded. 

This  check  to  the  Mexicans  was  serviceable,  as  it  was  quite  important 
that  this  place  should  be  held  at  all  hazards. 

it  will  now  be  in  order  to  recur  to  the  state  of  affairs  in  the  provincp 
of  Lower  Califor::'i.  The  Mexicans  who  had  landed  at  Muleje",  an«.! 
whom  Commander  Selfridge  had  so  ga  !-.r  ly  driven  toward  the  interior, 
passed  through  the  country,  exciting  ha.'Uity  to  the  American  rule,  and 
drawing  the  disaffected  to  their  ranks.  The  maj  >-ity  of  the  people  w^e 
without  doubt  friendly  to  the  provision^  gover,-  s  ;nt,  established  bv  tiie 
military  power  of  the  United  States,  and  but  comparatively  few  julirei 
the  standard  of  revolt.  On  the  16th  oi  November  a  body  of  Me^joans 
attacked  the  post  established  at  La  Paz.    This  post  was  held,  and  most 


I':-      : 

:1 


':;|,-,..,J 


74 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


1847. 


1: 

A 

i 

> 

handsomely  defended  by  Lieutenant-colonel  Burton,  with  a  detachment 
of  the  regiment  of  New  York  volunt/eers;  but  as  this  affair  belongs 
proj>erly  to  the  history  of  army  operations,  it  need  not  be  described  in 
this  work. 

On  the  10th  of  November,  a  lar«je  body  of  the  enemy  came  within  a 
league  of  the  post  established  ,'d  tian  JVx^^,  which,  it  will  be  remembered, 
was  occupied  by  Lieut  K  ywoo(i,  with  four  oilicora  and  twenty  marines. 
He  had  also  organized  and  nrm.4  about  twenty  ^ <^lunteer8.  The  position 
occupied  consisted  of  two  ItouHeri  —  the  one  .in  'd  mission-house,  which 
had  to  be  soraewh^'.  strengiiiore^i  K\d  i<:^  lire^i  <.'■  makv.  't  defensible,  and 
the  othc  a  private  Iiouse,  so  closely  aujoinin^^,  ihnt  it  Avas  necessary  to  oc- 
cupy it  Im  it  mighl  fall  inic  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  In  the  latter, 
Ptitssed-mi'i^bipman  McLiaiahan  was  stationed  with  twelve  volunteers.  At 
tlu.'  mission,  >i.  uine-pounder  w.is  mounted,  and  lo':  nholes  left  for  musketry. 
An  advance  guard  appTv>ached  on  lii«  uioming  of  the  19th,  and  de- 
man'^ed  a  surivinder,  v/Lii'li,  c f  course,  was  ;('tug9d.  The  main  body  took 
up  a  position  on  an  eniiuenco  abui'  <  quarter  of  a  mile  distant.  It 
cx)nsi8ted  of  one  huudrotl  and  ofty  m»..unt«d  jfuen,  and  commenced  the 
attack  late  in  the  day  by  h  firo  from  a  six-pounder.  This  ceased  at  dark, 
having  done  but  little  damage.  About  ten  o'clock  at  night,  the  whole 
body  of  the  enemy  conunouced  an  attack  upon  the  front  and  rear  of  b6th 
houses.  Their  fire  was  vigorous,  but  was  returned  as  vigorously  by  the 
little  garrison.  Their  caimon  was  posted  in  front  of  the  main  building, 
where  it  was  replied  to  by  the  nine-pounder.  The  defence  was  so  effect- 
ual, that  the  enemy  were  i>iad  to  cover  themselves  behind  the  neighboring 
buildings,  and  thus  the  combat  was  continued  throughout  the  night;  and 
by  morning,  the  enemy  retired  to  their  camp.  The  day  passed  quietly; 
but  as  night  closed  in,  the  Mexicans  were  again  in  motion.  They  now 
concluded  to  undertake  the  capture  of  the  mission-house  by  assault.  This 
wj\8  a  bold  plan  to  be  formetl  against  so  determined  a  garrison  as  they 
liad  found  this  one  to  be.  In  executing  this  movement,  a  strong  party 
rushed  up  toward  the  front  of  the  house,  with  the  intention  of  forcing 
tlieir  way  in  and  capturing  the  gun.  But  a  destructive  discharge  of  mus- 
ketry brought  down  their  lea<:ler  and  several  of  their  number,  when  they 
broke  and  fletl.  This  repulse  in  front  intimidated  the  party  in?the  rear, 
who  were  approaching  Avith  ladders  to  scale  the  walls,  and  t)  ^y  were  thus 
easily  driven  back.  The  next  morning  a  whaling  vessel  came  in  sight 
and  anchored  off  the  town.  The  Mexicans  p  obably  took  it  for  a  ship  of 
war,  for  the  whole  body  soon  moved  off.  They  lost  at  least  eight  killed 
and  more  than  that  number  wounded ;  while  of  the  garrison  but  one  was 
seriously,  and  tAvo  slightly  wounded. 

A  a  soon  as  the  re|X)rt  of  these  hostilities  reached  Com.  Shubrick,  he 
dispatched  the  store-ship  R outliampton  to  the  aid  of  Lieut.  Ho*  .vood. 
~'    '  «( on  as  possible,  and  the  Oyanew^      .,o  sent 

i'ea  to  Lieut.  Col.  Burton. 

848,  San  Bias,  a  seaport  town,  situated  to 

captured  by  a  small  force  under  the  orders  of 

was  maintaining  the  blockade  of  the  port  witL 

The  party  landed  undci-  Lieut.  Chatard,  and 


The  I  ortsmouth  followed  n  • 
to  La  Paz,  with  aid  and 

On  the  12th  of  Jam.ij 
the  south  of  Mazailiw  ,  v . 
Lieut.  Conid't  Bail  v  ,  ^^i. 
the  Lexington  stOxd-.  '^v 
brought  off  two  pie(  v-,-      t  -rillery  from  the  fort,  and  a  fine  boat  belonging 


Ji 


1848.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


75 


to  the  custom-houBe.  No  opposition  was  met  with;  still  it  was  not 
deemed  advisable  to  hoist  the  flag,  as  suflBcient  force  could  not  be  left  on 
bhore  to  defend  it 

Lieut.  Chatard  also  landed  a  small  party  at  Manzanillo,  and  spiked 
three  large  guns.  Mexico  now  had  not  a  single  gun  mounted  on  this 
entire  coast,  except  at  Acapulco. 

In  the  province  of  Sonora,  the  enemy  still  continued  to  hover  around 
Gua)mia8.  A  detachment  having  established  itself  at  Cochori,  on  the 
coast  about  nine  miles  from  Guaymas,  Lieut.  Yard,  now  commanding  the 
Dale,  determined  to  dislodge  it  A  party  of  seamen  and  marines  was 
detailed  from  the  ship  for  this  purpose,  and  placed  under  the  command 
of  Lieut  Craveiu  Having  proceeded  for  four  miles  in  boats,  they  landed 
and  cautiously  advanced,  seeking  to  surprise  the  enemy.  In  this  they  were 
successful,  having  nearly  surrounded  the  house  where  they  were  posted, 
before  being  discovered.  Some  firing  ensued,  but  the  enenty  soon  yielded. 
A  part  escaped,  as  the  attack  was  made  in  the  night;  but  the  commander 
and  six  soldiers  were  taken  prisoners,  and  five  were  left  dead  upon  the 
field.     The  assailing  party  suffered  no  loss. 

in  the  early  part  of  the  yeai*  1848,  San  Jos6  became  again  the  centre 
of  very  active  military  operations.  On  the  2  2d  of  January,  a  small  de- 
tachment of  Lieut.  Hey  wood's  command,  consisting  of  Passed-midshipmen 
Warley  and  Duncan,  and  six  men,  was  captured  on  the  beach  by  a  large 
body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry.  This  was  a  serious  loss  to  the  little  gam- 
son.  The  Southampton,  having  furnished  all  possible  aid  to  Lieut 
Heywootl,  was  sent  to  La  Paz,  with  ordera  for  the  Cyane  to  take  her 
place  at  San  Jos^.  This  was  a  very  opportune  change ;  but  before  it  was 
fully  effected,  hostilities  had  recommenced  around  the  devoted  mission- 
house,  though  the  Cyane  arrived  in  time  to  take  part  in  them.  The  en- 
emy, despairing  of  carrying  a  post  so  well  defended  as  La  Paz,  had  con- 
centrated his  forces,  amounting  to  three  or  four^hundred  men,  aroimd  the 
feebler  position  held  at  San  Jos6.  The  defence  of  this  position  rested  with 
a  garrison  of  twenty-seven  marines,  ten  effective  seamen,  and  about  twenty 
California  volunteers.  The  town  was  deserted  by  its  inhabitants,  and 
about  fifty  women  and  children  sought  protection  in  the  imperfect  fort, 
and  were  supported  from  its  scanty  supplies. 

In  the  latter  part  of  January,  the  Mexicans  appeared  in  force.  On  the 
4th  of  Febniary  they  drew  their  lines  quite  closely  around  the  fort,  and 
fired  upon  all  who  showed  themselves.  On  the  6th  a  sortie  was  made  by 
Lieut  Heywood  with  twenty-five  men,  which  was  successful  in  dislodging 
a  strong  party  posted  at  the  lower  end  of  the  street.  On  the  Tth  another 
bold  and  successful  sortie  was  made,  attended,  however,  with  the  loss  of 
one  man.  Notwithstanding  these  sorties,  the  enemy  gradually  hemmed 
the  gan-ison  in  more  closely.  Their  former  expsirience  had  taught  them 
not  to  risk  an  assault,  and  their  policy  now  fe-^rjied  to  be  to  reduce  the 
garrison  by  a  regular  investment  and  siege.  By  V.3  10th  they  had  com- 
plete .ossession  of  the  town.  I'lie^-  occupied  a  church  and  other  com- 
manding buildingF.  within  musket-shot,  from  which  they  kept  up  an  f  Imost 
incessant  fire  during  the  remainder  of  the  siege.  Thus  protected,  it  was 
seldom  that  the  besieged  were  able  to  {ind  an  opportunity  to  fire  a  them 
with  effect    On  the  11th  the  firing  was  continued  with  great  vigoi ;  and 


s".  ) 

I 


lit;  ■■■.;• 


76 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1848. 


during  this  clay  the  garrison  siiffored  tho  loiw  of  PftHWKl-midshipman  Mo 
Lanatmn,  wlio  was  wuuniitH:!  in  thu  nock,  and  8urviv<Hl  but  two  hours. 

Tiie  morning  of  the  12tli  revt»«KHl  a  new  mxuvo  of  annoyance.  The 
enemy  had  erected  a  breastwork,  fmm  which  they  cotntnandod  tlio  water- 
ing placff  of  the  garrison.  But  nothing  ihuuited,  tho  men  went  vigorously 
to  work  to  dig  for  water  witliin  tlie  pont,  and  this  against  great  difficul- 
ties, as  they  could  not  bhist  the  i-oek  through  fear  of  drawing  the  fire  of 
the  enemy.  On  the  14th,  the  supply  u(  water  was  running  low,  and  still 
a  continual  fire  was  poured  in  upon  the  h(>roio  band.  But  on  this  day 
relief  came.  In  tlie  afternoon  the  Cyano  hove  in  sight,  and  soon  came  up 
and  dropi^d  her  anchor  off  the  town.  Tho  inteixwt  of  tho  fight  now 
turned  in  this  direction.  Commander  D\\  Pont  of  tho  Cyane,  knowing 
that  the  Mexicans  were  in  large  forcts  an<l  wisely  judging  that  they  must 
have  full  possession  of  tho  sjiaoe  l)etween  the  biMum  and  the  mission-house, 
deemed  it  too  hazardous  to  attemj)t  i"(»lieving  his  beleaguered  comrades  by 
niglit,  unless  in  an  emergency.  To  those  on  lH)aixl  the  ship  the  niglit  at- 
tack was  unknown,  as  tho  report  of  snuill-arms  could  not  reach  that  dis- 
tance, and  Lieut.  Hciywood  refrained  fr«)m  using  artillery,  lest  he  should 
alarm  his  friends,  and  so  induce  them  to  land  at  night. 

But  when  the  day  dawned  the  boats  of  the  Cyane  were  seen  moving 
toward  :he  sliore.  They  contained  one  hundr«Ml  and  two  otficersand 
men,  headed  by  Commander  Du  Pont.  Tim  <>tiemy  soon  showed  himself 
in  full  force  in  front,  after  the  laniling  was  etVwttKl,  and  the  contest  com- 
menced. As  the  Mexicans  jXMwesseil  the  advantage  of  the  covera  along 
the  road,  they  were  able  to  kwp  up  an  atmoying  tiank  and  rear  fire  upon 
the  advancing  Americans.  Still  tho  latter  ujovihI  steadily  on,  driving  their 
opponents  back  at  every  point,  or  giN  ing  them  volleys  of  musketry  to  the 
right  and  left  as  occasion  requi'-ed.  Thu  Mi^xicjuis  engaged  with  great 
vigor,  and  continued  their  fire  thmughout  with  steadiness;  and  it  would 
also  have  been  quite  destructive  hml  they  not  generally  fired  too  high. 
Step  by  step  the  ground  was  gaine<l  and  pivgress  achieved,  as  the  com- 
pact little  column  pushed  on  with  uuconcpierable  bravery.  It  requirejj  the 
best  exertions  of  the  office.  <  to  i-estrain  the  impetuosity  of  the  seamen, 
who  were  eager  to  come  to  closer  tpiartei-s — a  movement  which  would 
soon  have  lost  them  the  advantiiges  gained  by  their  unity  and  steadiness 
of  action. 

The  progress  of  the  battle  could  bo  seen  quite  plainly  from  both  the 
ship  and  the  fort,  and,  with  reason,  excittnl  great  intei-est  among  the  ob- 
servers at  hot!)  these  points.  Those  in  the  ship  were  unable  to  render  any 
assistance  by  means  of  their  long  guns,  as  it  was  imywxssible  to  separate 
friend  fr^  m  foe.  But  tho  garrison  ooidd  not  curb  their  impatience,  and 
60(jn  sallied  out  to  form  a  junction  with  their  companions.  A  party  of 
the  eneiny  was  still  firing  upon  the  fort, but  tho  charge, led  hy  lieutenant 
Heywood,  drove  them  from  the  sti-eet  tliey  occupiotl,  and  openetl  the  way 
for  the  union  of  tlie  two  detachmentii.  Just  before  this  union  was  et^xted, 
the  enemy  made  a  final  stAnd  and  sought  by  great  exertions  to  '^lu  nn 
his  ground.  But  it  was  all  n  vain,  and  tho  shout  of  victory  v  •;  i  ised 
just  as  Lieut.  Heywood  joi  i  •>  party  of  hr  'v  (■'ome  friends.  It  durely 
borders  on  the  miraculous  '  uJs  march  w  m  i  lade  under  such  a  fire^ 
and  this  victory  gained  by  f     :Vmericuu8  over  treble  their  own  number, 


[1848. 


1848.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


77 


Hl-mitlshipman  Mo- 
but  two  hours. 
['  Hunoyance.    The 
uriHiKlwi  the  water- 
iK^n  went  vigorously 
;iiiiist  great  difficul- 
drawing  the  fire  of 
uning  low,  and  still 
B\it  on  thia  day 
t,  and  soon  came  up 
a  of  the  fight  now 
:\\Q  Cyane,  knowing 
ing  that  they  must 
d  the  mission-house, 
guered  comrades  by 
10  ship  the  night  at- 
not  reach  that  dis- 
illery,  lest  he  should 
t. 

0  were  seen  moving 
lid  two  otficers'and 
won  showed  himself 
nd  the  contest  com- 
of  the  covera  along 
k  and  rear  fire  upon 
dily  on,  driving  their 
s  of  musketry  to  the 
engaged  with  great 
linees;  and  it  would 
irally  fired  too  high, 
chieved,  as  the  com- 
jry.    It  requirejj  the 
osity  of  the  seamen, 
vement  which  would 
unity  and  steadiness 

ainly  from  both  the 
iei-est  among  the  ob- 
unable  to  render  any 
iijKKSsible  to  separate 
their  impatience,  and 
anions.  A  party  of 
^e, led  ^y  lieutenant 
and  openetl  the  way 
is  union  was  effected, 
exertions  to  "^'i.  lin 
of  victory  v'-  v  ised 
ne  friends,  it  dureiy 
de  under  such  a  fire| 
Q  their  own  number, 


without  the  loss  of  a  single  life,  and  with  only  four  slightly  wounded. 
The  loss  of  the  enemy  could  not  bo  asoeilained  with  any  oxartnoss,  but 
there  were  at  lea.st  thirteen  killed.  They  also  hmt  in  thoir  Iciig  attai;k 
upon  the  post,  at  least  fifteen  killed,  and  many  wounded.  The  wuHualtiiw  to 
Lieut.  Hoywood's  command  were  three  killed  and  four  slightly  woundo^l. 
The  coolness,  pei"severance,  and  indomitable  resolution  tlisitlayiHl  in  this 
long  defence  against  such  superior  imml)ei'8,  cannot  but  draw  ujH>n  the 
actors  especial  notice  and  renown,  and  place  it  amoiig  the  many  uiomon^ 
ble  achievements  of  this  war.* 

The  organization  of  the  insun-ection  was  nearly  broken  tij)  after  this 
repulse.  Though  the  chief,  Pineda,  with  a  considerable  foriH\  still  re- 
mained in  the  vicinity,  the  presence  of  a  ship  of  war  onoratoil  m  tax 
effectual  check  upon  any  further  attack.  In  the  month  of  March,  indeed, 
the  Americans  assumed  the  offensive,  and  by  several  sudilcn  attacks,  with 
comparatively  small  parties,  drove  the  enemy  further  and  further  up  the 
country.  On  the  night  of  the  15th  of  this  month,  a  detachment  from 
the  garrison  at  La  Paz,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Sttudo  of  the  Now 
York  regiment,  made  a  foi-ced  march  and  came  unexiwotwlly  upon  the 
enemy's  camp  at  San  Antonio.  The  surprise  was  complotts  and  the  con- 
flict short;  it  ended  in  the  discomfiture  of  the  Mexicans,  anil  the  rescue 
of  the  Americans  taken  prisoners,  as  already  mentioned,  on  the  2  2d  of 
the  preceding  January. 

Colonel  Burton  and  Commander  Du  Pont  kept  up  a  system  of  short 
and  rapid  expeditions,  in  various  directions,  wherever  an  enemy  showed 
himself;  so  that  by  the  close  of  April  the  forees  of  the  Mt'xicana  wore 
wholly  dispersed,  the'r  principal  chifl'ti  taken  prisonei-s,  and  the  province 
of  Lower  California  rendered  compleuJy  tranquil.  On  the  20th  oi'  April, 
a  detachmei.i  of  one  hundred  men  from  Mio  volunteer  regiment  in  UpiH)r 
California  arrived  at  San  Jos6,  and  Lieut  ''^;jwooil  and  his  command 
returned  to  their  proper  quarters  on  shipboard. 

At  Guaymas,  where  the  Dale  still  remained,  the  officers  and  ineu  wore 
constantly  occupied  in  maintaining  the  bkxikade,  and  in  u-atching  n  largo 
extent  of  coast  in  order  to  prevent  the  sending  of  niilitavy  supplies  or 
assistance  across  tr  Lower  California  Their  vigilance  and  occo'onal 
skirmishes  kept  the  enemy  at  a  distance,  and  reduced  hini  to  defensive 
operations. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  information  of  a  provisional  suspension  of  hos- 
tilities on  the  part  of  the  main  ai-my  in  Mexico,  Conmnnlore  Shubrick 
entered  into  a  similar  arrangement.  ;.,. '  --ithdrew  tlie  garrison  fiinn  Ma- 
zatlan,  leaving  a  few  men  to  guard  the  works  until  the  ostablishment  of  a 
definitive  treaty  of  peace.  Until  the  close  of  the  war,  therefoixs  the  duty 
of  the  naval  force  was  confined  to  the  maintenance  of  tlie  ])ositions  alnmdy 
held.  In  Jidy,  1848,  Commodore  Shubrick  sailed  for  home  with  the 
Independence,  by  way  of  the  Sandwich  Islands,  having  bwn  relieved 
in  his  command  of  the  Pacific  squadron  by  Com.  Thos.  Ap  C.  Jones,  in 
rtie  Ohio  74. 

•  While  these  pages  are  going  to  press,  information  has  been  roceiwd  of  ti>e  (loath  of  th« 
gallant  He;  wood.  He  feU  a  victim  to  the  yellow  fever,  contracted  at  Hlu  Jauvko,  and  ditd  OD 
board  the  nicam-frigate  Sitiunac,  of  vrhicb  be  woii  second  in  command. 


il, 


m 


i  r         ' 


78 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1846 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Com.  Conner  on  the  eMt  cout  of  Mexico-  DIockade— Expedition  againit  Tobaieo  and  Alra* 
rado — Flan  of  attack  on  Vera  Cruz— Minor  town*  taken — Lom  of  the  Somen— Landing  of 
the  American  army — Com.  Perry  relieve*  Cora.  Conner  —  Bombardment  of  Vera  C'rui  — 
Cuptare  <>r  A'  <  lo,  Tuspan  and  Toboaco,  and  oocupation  of  Mexican  porta— SlUrmlshca— 
8vr-^o-ii.    a»i4UHcorpp    Oen.  Quitman— Death  of  ltL\)or  Twiggi. 


i 


Fob  the  preservation  of  a  more  clear  and  convenient  method,  we  have 
followed  the  naval  operations  on  the  west  coaHt  of  Mexico  from  the  com- 
mencement to  the  close  of  hostilities.  In  the  same  ')r(ler  we  will  now 
present  an  account  of  the  services  of  this  arm  of  the  national  power,  in 
the  Gulf  and  on  the  east  coast  of  Mexico. 

The  navy  found  no  enemy  to  contend  with  on  its  own  element  in  this 
quarter;  and  was,  therefore,  principally  occupied  as  an  .auxiliary  to  the  ariTiy. 
Though  its  services  were  not  brilliant,  they  were  certainly  indispensable. 

In  July,  1846,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  wrote  to  Commodore  Conner, 
commanding  the  home  or  Gulf  squadron,  that  he  must  now  consider  Texas 
as  a  part  of  his  country,  to  be  d^^fended  as  any  other  portion  should  be. 
and  must  hold  his  force  in  readiiioss  for  any  outingt'.icy.  The  vessels  of 
war  embraced  in  his  command  at  this  time  were,  thr  ^rigate  Potomac  44; 
sloops  of  war  Falmouth  20,  Saratoga  20,  St.  Mary's  .  >;  brigs  Somers  10, 
and  Lawrence  10.  The  steamers  Mississippi  10,  and  Princeton  9,  sloop 
of  war  John  Adams  20,  and  the  brig  Porpoise  10,  wort'  ordere^l  to  join 
his  squadron  without  delay. 

During  the  movement  of  General  Taylor's  divisiors  to  Corpn^^^  Christi, 
and  thonce  on  to  the  north  of  the  Rio  Grande,  the  smaller  vessels  of  the 
squadron  kept  it  company,  and  rendered  some  valuable  sei-vices.  When 
hostilities  actually  commenced,  and  the  state  of  war  was  declared  to  exist, 
instructions  were  issued  to  Com.  Conner  to  employ  his  command  in  the 
blockade  of  Mexican  ports,  so  far  as  its  force  would  admit  of  doing  so 
effectii.illy.  The  government  required  that  the  blockade  should  bo  actual 
and  absolute,  except  against  the  vessels  of  war  of  neutral  nations.  These 
orders  were  issued  on  the  13th  of  May,  1846;  and  that  they  might  be 
pr  iperly  carried  out,  several  additional  vessels  were  attached  to  the  squadron 
(.r  "'om.  Conner.  These  were  the  frigate  Cumberland  44,  frigate  Raritan 
a^4;  ami  the  brigs  Perry  and  Truxton  of  10  guns  each.  Tho  sloop  of 
war  Albany  20,  also  joined  during  the  year. 

On  the  8th  of  May  the  firing  of  the  artillery  at  the  battle  of  Palo 
Alto  was  heard  at  Point  Isabel,  where  the  squadron  lay.  Major  Munroe, 
commanding  the  post,  and  having  under  his  care  the  supplies  for  the  army, 
apprehensive  of  an  attack  by  the  enemy  upon  so  important  a  point, 
requested  of  Commodore  Conner  a  reinforcement  to  his  troops  from  the 
squadron.    This  was  promptly  granted;  and  five  hundred  seamen  and 


1846.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


79 


luar  un(l«r  Captain  Grogory,  of  the  RaritAn,  were  lnndo.l  and  jwHigncd 
thoir  post  behind  tlie  defenww.  Hut  tho  victoriou  of  the  8th  and  0th 
drove  the  MexiciinH  acrotw  the  river,  op(Miotl  tho  coiumuniowtion  botweon 
Fort  Brown  und  Point  Iwibel,  and  left  the  hitter  frw  from  all  dani^er. 

On  tho  18tli  of  Muy  a  detachment  oi'  nearly  two  hundred  marineM  and 
Boanien,  from  the  Cumberland  and  Potomac,  under  tho  orders  of  Capt^iin 
Aulick,  sailed  up  the  Rio  Grande  in  the  boat*  of  the  shipH,  and  effected  a 
junction  with  a  detiichimmt  of  the  army  at  Barita,  on  the  rijrht  bank  of 
the  river,  and  alx)ut  tifteen  miles  from  its  mouth.  At  this  jH)int  they  es- 
tablished a  p(*t  without  any  opposition,  and  on  the  samo  day  the  army 
under  General  Taylor  crossetl  the  river  and  entered  Mataraoras. 

The  vessels  were  now  dispatched  to  their  several  stations  to  enforce  the 
blwkade  of  the  ports  of  Mexico  on  the  (rulf  is  far  south  a«  Alvarado. 
The  changes  of  the  shijw  on  the  several  stiitions  were  necessiuily  frequent, 
as,  for  a  time,  they  were  obliged  to  repair  successively  to  Pensacola  to 
replenish  their  supplies.  The  Somers  was  sent  to  Yucatan,  in  order  to 
ascertain  what  course  that  government  intended  to  pursue  iu  tho  war  be- 
tween the  United  States  and  Mexico.  The  honest  neutr.ility  of  this  prov- 
ince would  require  u  less  extent  of  coast  to  be  guarded,  and  diminish  the 
resources  of  Mexico  for  a  prolonged  contest.  Munitions  )f  war  were 
introduced  through  this  province  into  Mexico,  so  that  the  necessary  neu- 
trality was  not  maintained.  It  becamo  advisable,  therefore,  in  the  autumn 
of  this  year,  to  send  an  expedition  against  Tobasco,  through  which  city 
this  commerce  in  the  materials  of  war  was  carried  on.  The  place  is  situ- 
ated on  the  river  of  the  same  name,  about  seventy-four  miles  from  its 
mouth,  and  in  a  south-easterly  direction  from  Vera  Cruz.  Its  seaport 
called  Frontera,  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  river. 

Commodore  Matthew  C.  Perry  was  appointed  to  condu4Jt  this  expedi- 
tion. As  the  harbors  of  Mexico  were  inaccessible  to  most  of  the  ships  of 
war,  in  consequence  of  sand  bars  formed  across  their  entrances,  several 
Hinall  steamers  and  schooners  had  been  purchased  and  sent  to  the  scene 
of  operations  in  the  Gulf.  Of  these,  Com.  Perry  took  the  steamer  Vixen, 
and  the  schooners  Bonita,  Reefer,  and  Nonata,  besides  the  steamer  Mc- 
Lane  and  the  schooner  Forward  of  tho  revenue  service,  as  the  most  avail- 
able species  of  force  with  which  to  ascend  the  river.  His  own  ship  was 
the  Mississippi,  steamer,  on  board  of  which  was  a  detachment  of  two  hun- 
dred officers,  seamen  and  marines,  nnder  command  of  Captain  Forrest  of 
the  Cumberland. 

The  expedition  sailed  on  the  lOtU  of  October,  and  arrived  off  the  mouth 
of  the  Tobasco  on  the  23d.  The  Mississippi  was  left  at  the  anchorage 
outside,  while  Com.  Perry  himself  went  on  board  of  the  Vixen.  This 
small  steanrer  then  took  in  tow  the  Bonita  and  Forward,  with  tlie  barges 
containing  the  detachment  under  Captain  Forrest,  and  crossing  the  bai 
began  to  ascend  the  river.  The  Nonata  followed  under  sail ;  the  Reefer, 
having  parted  company  in  a  gale,  had  not  yet  rejoined. 

The  town  of  Frontera  was  taken  possession  of  without  resistance,  with 
several  vessels  in  port,  and  two  steamers  which  were  firing  up,  in  the  hope 
of  escaping  up  stream.  The  largest  of  these  steamers,  the  Peti-ita,  was 
immediately  taken  into  service ;  the  detachment  of  Captain  Forrest  em- 
barking in  her,  and  the  Nonata  and  Forward,  with  the  barges,  being 


so 


KAl'AL  HIRTORT. 


[IM. 


I 


I 


i 


i 


attnchwl  to  hfT  in  onlor  to  b  ••  wi  u[>  tlio  river.  Tlio  Vixon  thon  to«tk 
tho  Hoiiitn  ill  tow,  niid  tho  mixt  inorniiij;  tlio  cnrnmaiid  n^^nin  mov»Hl  for- 
ward, ill  ordiT  to  rwaoii  Tol>aMC<>  boforv;  additions  could  l>o  mado  to  it« 
di'lVncfft.  Tho  rapidity  of  the  current  .«iid  an  iinnerfoct,  knowlodjifo  of  tho 
cliaim»!l  of  tlio  river  made  their  pnt^rws  hIow.  fho  noxt  niorninif  they 
camo  ahrcant  of  a  fort,  which  conunandcd  tho  rivor  at  a  very  tlitHciilt 
ji< tint,  and  from  which  t hoy  looked  for  onpwition  to  thoir  mlvanco;  hut 
they  |>aftK(Hl  it  unino]cht««!,  the  men  in  charpo  tlwin{;(  at  thoir  approjich. 
At  n(H)n  Tohiwoo  was  reached.  Several  nierchant-vonHols  were  wKiimnl  hy 
tho  hoatH,  and  tho  wiuadron  anchored  in  order  of  battle  abreast  of  tho 
town,  witliin  lialf-inuflkot  ranp'. 

Captain  Forrest  went  directly  on  slioro  with  a  flag,  and  a  Bummoni  to 
tho  pfo\  ernor  to  Hurrender.  Tliiw  was  answered  with  bravado,  and  an  in- 
vitation sent  back  to  tho  commander  to  fire  as  soon  as  ho  pleaded.  Coin. 
Perry  was  extremely  reluctant  to  destroy  tho  town  antl  to  subject  th(«  in- 
habitants to  tho  miseries  of  a  bombardment,  merely  to  jOfratify  the  inliuninn 
pride  of  a  man,  who,  safe  himself,  would  not  surrender,  tliough  incapable 
of  making  any  eftectual  resistance.  It  was  necessary,  liowevor,  to  ninko 
some  demonstration  of  his  power,  and  ho  consequently  directed  tlie  firing 
to  commence  from  tho  guns  of  tho  Vixen  alone,  and  these  tt^  bo  aimed  nt 
the  flag-Ht;iff.  At  tho  third  discliarge  tho  flag  c^mo  down.  Captain  tW 
rest  was  now  sent  ashore  again  to  inquire  if  they  surrendered ;  but  ho  was 
informed  that  tho  flag  was  not  struck,  but  only  Hhot  away. 

Captain  Fon-est  now  landed  with  his  dotacliment  at  n  point  where  tlioy 
were  under  cover  of  tho  guns  of  the  vessels.  This  movement  drew  fntm 
tho  enemy  a  fire  of  musketry,  which  was  returned  by  tho  flotilla,  and 
continued  till  evening.  Not  considering  it  safe  for  the  land  party  to  re- 
main on  shor*  tlirough  tho  night,  Com.  Perry  recalled  them.  The  crows 
were  continued  at  quarters  througliout  the  night,  but  the  firing  fwm  the 
flotilla  was  not  resumed.  Com.  Perry,  knowing  that  the  governor  disre- 
garded tho  wishes  of  tho  principal  citizens  in  refusing  to  capitulate,  now 
(letermined,  from  motives  of  humanity,  to  relinquish  any  plan  of  a  more 
complete  conquest,  and  retire  from  the  place,  satisfied  with  having  broken 
up  the  <t])noxiou8  traific  in  munitions  of  war.  But  in  the  morning  the 
firing  was  recommenced  from  the  town,  and  consequently  it  Wame  necw- 
sary  to  reply  to  it  from  tho  flotilla.  A  flag  of  truco  now  appeared,  which 
was  met  by  Captain  Forrest,  and  through  him  conveyed  to  the  Connno- 
dore  a  communication  from  the  principal  foreign  mea-hants  of  the  place, 
setting  forth  tho  facts  that  they  were  great  suft'erers  by  the  l)ombarthiiont, 
and  that  they  would  bo  ruined  if  it  continued,  and  desiring  tho  American 
commander  to  sparG  the  town  and  avert  such  disastrous  i-esults.  Com. 
Perry  in  his  reply  expressed  his  continued  determination,  formed  tho 
evening  before,  not  to  fire  unless  fired  ujwn  from  tho  shore.  Ho,  therefore, 
ordered  his  prizes  to  move  down  tho  river,  while  the  armed  vessels  pre- 

})ared  to  follow.  But  one  of  the  prizes  grounded  near  tho  shore,  when  n 
argo  party  of  Mexicans  collected  in  the  houses  and  streets  opposite  to  it 
and  began  to  pour  into  it  a  very  severe  fire.  This  of  courae  made  it  necw- 
sary  to  attack  the  town  again,  in  order  to  relieve  tho  prize.  The  fire  of 
the  vessels  soon  silenced  that  on  shore,  and  Lieut.  Parker,  in  charge  of  the 
prize,  defended  himself  with  great  gallantly,  and  succeeilod  in  getting  liin 


194«.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


SI 


\(<nnp\  off,  with  one  man  killed  nml  two  wounded.  LItM*'.  (.'lurle*  W. 
Morrin,  wliiln  oonvnyinj^  an  ordtT  in  alM)at  fnm\  tho  Coniifi  iil<>ri»  l)  Lioiit. 
Parker,  roc^ivwl  a  wvctro  wound  in  tho  nock,  which  a  fevs  !.:^n  ntlor  ro- 
Hiiltod  in  hiH  death.  Tlio  Hotilla,  with  the  prizen,  now  withdraw  from  !*«- 
foro  the  town,  and  j>r(K'«M>ded  down  tho  riv»^r.  Siu^h  vewk'Is  foimd  in  the 
river  t»  were  of  little  vaiuo  wore  hurntMl,  and  tho  rent  cf  tho  prizce  were 
Hcnt  to  the  main  H<|uadron  near  Vera  ('ruz.  Tho  McLano  and  tho  For- 
ward, rovonuo  cutterH,  wore  loft  to  maintain  tho  blockade  of  tho  river,  and 
Com.  Perry  and  command  rejoined  Com.  Connor. 

Previous  to  this  succcHsful  expedition  againHt  Tob««co,  some  naval 
movomonta  were  made  which  did  not  have  so  satisfactory  a  lemiination. 
lu  August  Com.  Connor  ]>lannoil  an  expedition  aj^ainHt  Alvarado,  the  first 
town  of  any  importance  on  tlio  coast  to  the  eastward  of  Vera  Cruz.  But 
it  failed  in  conse<]Uonco  of  none  of  tho  vessels  beinjr  able  to  cross  the  bar — 
tho  small  steamers  and  8(!hooners  which  ultimately  proved  so  efficient  in 
cjicrations  of  this  kind,  not  having  been  sent  out  at  that  time.  When 
they  arrived,  in  October,  Com.  Connor  ma'le  another  attempt  to  take  pos- 
session of  Alvarado.  Tho  ilofences  of  tho  place  wero  by  no  mejuis  insig- 
nificant, cx)nsisting  of  several  forta  and  batteries  conmianding  tho  harbor 
and  tl»e  entrance.  Tho  steamer  Vixen  towed  in  tho  two  sclKJoners  Uonita 
and  Reefer,  and  this  division  was  able  to  return  the  fire  of  the  batteries. 
The  steamer  Mississippi  was  also  enabled  to  reach  a  position  where  sho 
did  considerable  execution  with  her  long  gims.  But  tho  steamer  McLane 
touched  on  the  bar,  and  so  was  unable  to  bring  the  second  division,  con- 
sisting of  the  Nonata,  Petrel  and  Forward,  into  action.  This  misfortune 
frustrated  the  plan ;  as  tho  first  division  not  being  properly  supported,  it 
became  necessary  to  recall  it. 

An  attempt  to  capture  Tuspan,  situated  on  the  coast,  above  Vera  Cruz, 
resulted  in  the  loss  of  one  of  the  vessels  of  tho  sq'-adron.  On  tho  1 5th 
of  August,  Commander  Cari^jntor  stood  in  for  i  i  ^  trwn  with  the  brig 
Truxton.  She  struck  upon  the  bar  and  obstinnt"'  ,  tod  all  eftbrts  to 
get  her  oflT.  Her  officers  and  men,  with  the  cxcuo' 
and  a  boat's  crew,  were  obliged  to  surrender  to  *'u'.  il> 
however,  sulwequently  exchanged. 

In  the  autumn  of  this  year  a  plan  of  a  ' 
which  contemplated  the  reduction  of  tho  city  of  '\^ 
castle,  and  thence  tho  march  of  a  large  army  by  tho  .'hortest  route  to  the 
ca[)ital  of  Mexico.  It  was  higlily  advisable  to  concefJ  this  plan  from  the 
Mexican  government.  In  order,  therefore,  to  divert  attention  from  the  real 
point  of  attack,  and  to  afford  a  convenient  place  for  concentrating  troops, 
orders  were  sent  in  October  to  Com.  Conner  to  take  possession  of  Tampico. 
The  Raritan,  Potomac,  and  St.  Mary's  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  oft"  that 
port.  On  the  12th  of  November  the  steamer  Mississippi,  having  on  board 
a  detachment  of  one  hundred  marines  and  seamen  from  the  Cumberland, 
and  towing  the  Vixen,  Nonata,  Bonita  and  Reefer,  and  the  steamer 
Princeton,  having  in  tow  the  Spitfire  and  Petrel,  left  the  anchorage  of 
Anton  Lizardo.  Arrived  oflf  the  bar  of  Tampico,  on  the  morning  of  the 
14th,  three  hundred  men  were- placed  in  the  boats  of  the  various  vessels, 
which,  in  connection  with  the  schooners  above  mentioned  in  tow  of  the 
steamers  Spitfire  and  Vixen,  were  carried  safely  over  the  bar,  and  passed 


f  Lieut.  Hunter 
ns.     They  were, 

,  marked  out, 
az  and  its  famous 


'k  j^ 

K:.),'! 


V? 


82 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1846. 


:»' 


up  the  river.  The  defences  of  the  city  hacl  been  abandoned,  so  that  no 
resistance  was  met  with.  Before  reaching  it,  a  deputation  of  the  govern- 
ment came  on  board,  with  whom  the  terms  of  a  peaceable  surrender  were 
arranged.  Two  merchant  vessels  and  three  gun-boats  were  captured  in 
the  harbor.  A  strict  blockade  of  the  port  was  still  maintained  after  its 
capture ;  and  it  was  also  garrisonec!  for  some  time  by  a  strong  detachment 
of  tix)ops. 

From  Tampico  an  expedition  wai  sent  under  Commander  Tattnall,  vath 
the  steamer  Spitfire  and  the  schooner  Petrel,  to  Panuco,  situated  about 
eighty  miles  up  a  river  of  the  same  name,  for  the  purpose  of  destroying 
some  cannon  and  other  munitions  of  war,  which  the  Mexicans  had  trans- 
ported from  Tampico  before  its  capture.  Though  the  river  banks  afforded 
many  points  from  which  artillery  might  have  swept  the  decks  of  the  ves- 
sels, the  enemy  offered  no  opposition,  and  on  the  19  th  of  November,  the 
town  was  taken  possession  of,  and  the  military  stores  destroyed  or  brought 
away.  In  the  latter  part  of  November,  the  frigate  Cumberland  was  sent 
home  for  repaii-s.  Captain  Forrest  being  transferred  with  his  crew  to  the 
Raritan,  and  Captain  Gregory  and  crew  going  home  in  the  Cumberland. 

While  the  squadron  was  off"  Tampico,  the  brig  Somers  maintained  the 
blockade  of  Vera  Cruz.  The  barque  Creole,  conveying  munitions  of  war 
to  the  Mexicans,  had  violated  the  blockade,  and  lay  on  the  night  of  the 
20th  of  November  in  supposed  security,  under  the  guns  of  the  fortress 
St  Juan  d'Ulloa.  In  the  darkness,  a  boat  from  the  Somers  quietly  ap- 
proached her,  containing  Lieut.  Parker,  Passed-midshipmen  Rogers  and 
Hynson,  and  five  seamen.  The  guard  was  surprised,  captured,  and  after- 
wai'd  set  on  shore,  while  the  vessel  was  set  fire  to  and  burned.  The 
adventurous  and  gallant  party  escaped  without  injury. 

On  the  5tli  of  December,  Passed-midshipman  Rogers,  and  Dr.  Wright, 
attached  to  the  Somers,  with  one  of  the  crew,  went  on  shore  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Vera  Cruz  for  the  purpose  of  a  reconnoissance.  They  were  soon 
surprised  by  a  party  of  Mexicans ;  and  Dr.  Wright  managed  to  escape, 
but  the  other  two  were  taken  prisoners.  Though  Midshipman  Rogers 
wore  his  uniform,  and  could  only  be  properly  deemed  a  prisoner  of  war, 
his  fate  was  for  a  long  time  doubtful,  the  Mexican  autaorities  seeking  to 
convict  him  as  a  spy.  He  endured  great  hardships,  and  was  finally  taken 
to  the  city  of  Mexico,  whence  he  escaped  before  the  city  was  captured  by 
the  American  arms,  joined  the  army  of  Gen.  Scott,  and  served  with  dis- 
tinction in  the  brilliant  battles  which  closed  the  war.  His  misfortune  in 
being  captured,  however,  probably  saved  him  from  the  more  melancholy 
fate  of  most  of  his  companions  on  board  the  Somers.  This  active  little 
cruiser,  on  the  8th  of  December,  while  seeking  under  a  press  of  canvas  to 
cut  oft"  a  vessel  which  was  making  for  the  harbor  of  Vera  Cruz,  was  struck 
by  a  "  norther "  and  thrown  on  her  beam-ends.  She  soon  went  down, 
carrying  with  her.  Acting-master  Clemson,  Passed-midshipman  Hynson 
and  nearly  one  half  her  crew  of  eighty  mei..  The  John  Adams,  just 
coming  down  the  coast,  went  to  the  assistance  of  the  brig,  as  also  did  the 
boats  of  the  British,  French,  and  Spanish  ships,  of  war,  anchored  near; 
by  these  some  of  the  officers  and  men  were  rescued,  while  oth  .rs  reached 
the  shore  and  were  taken  prisoners.  Gold  and  silver  medals  were  subse- 
quently presented,  by  order  of  Congress,  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


83 


foreign  vessels  who  so  nobly  and  generously  risked  their  own  liveo  in 
saving  some  of  their  fellow-men  from  the  wreck  of  the  unfortunate 
Somers. 

Commodore  Perry,  with  the  Mississippi,  Vixen,  Bonita  and  Petrel,  ar- 
rived off  the  town  of  Lagima,  in  tlie  province  of  Yucatan,  on  the  20th 
of  December.  Leaving  the  Mississippi  off  the  bar,  he  took  the  schooners 
and  barges  in  tow  of  the  Vixen,  and  proceeded  up  to  the  town.  Posses- 
sion was  taken  without  any  difficulty,  and  the  military  stores  seized.  Two 
forts  were  occupied,  the  American  flag  hoisted  upon  them,  and  the  guns 
and  carriages  destroyed.  Commander  Sands,  with  the  Vixen  and  Petrel, 
was  left  in  charge  of  the  place.  On  returning  along  the  coast,  Tjeut 
Comd't  Benham,  in  the  ^onita,  was  left  at  Tobasco  river,  to  assume  the 
command  of  the  blockading  vessels  at  that  point. 

The  year  1847  commenced  with  very  extensive  and  active  preparations 
for  the  contemplated  attack  on  Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  St.  Juan 
d'UUoa.  The  descent  of  so  large  a  body  of  troops  as  was  necessary  for 
the  grand  plan  of  the  campaign,  upon  an  open  coast,  with  the  needful 
but  heavy  encumbrance  of  its  military  supplies,  could  be  no  light  work ;. 
and  the  aid  of  the  navy  was  in  all  aspects  of  the  undertaking  indis- 
pensable. Great  activity  consequently  pervaded  this  department  of  the 
national  government.  Bomb-ketches  and  steamers  were  purchased, 
equipped  and  sent  to  the  Gulf.  The  Ohio  74,  which  was  preparing  for 
the  Pacific,  and  the  sloops  Gerraantown  20,  Sai-atoga  20,  and  Decatur  16,. 
were  rapidly  fitted  out  and  ordered  to  join  the  squadron.  On  the  coast  of 
Mexico  was  soon  assembled,  around  Vera  Cruz  as  a  centre,  or  scattered 
off  different  ports  on  blockading  duty,  probably  the  largest  force  ever 
under  the  command  of  a  single  American  naval  officer. 

The  transports,  conveying  troops  and  supplies,  were  directed  to  rendez- 
vous at  the  island  of  Lobes,  which  lies  about  twelve  miles  off  the  coast,, 
some  sixty  miles  below  Tampico.  At  this  point,  many  of  them  assem- 
bled during  the  month  of  February,  and  as  the  season  was  advancing,, 
though  many  very  necessary  supplies  had  not  yet  arrived,  the  commander- 
in-chief  decided  to  effect  an  immediate  landing. 

The  following  detailed  account  of  the  debarkation  of  the  army  of 
Major-general  Scott,  is  from  the  pen  of  William  G.  Temple,  Passed- 
midshipman  in  the  navy,  who,  in  view  of  the  nautical  interest  attached 
to  the  movement,  has  compiled  from  original  sources,  a  memoir  of  the 
operation,  addressed  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  and  placed  among  the 
files  of  his  departmeiit.     The  substance  of  this  document  is  here  given.. 

"In  view  of  landing  the  army  at  souiC  point  near  Vera  Cruz,  surf- 
boats  suitable  for  that  service  were  co^iracted  for  in  the  different  ports  of 
the  United  States,  by  the  quarter-master's  department  of  the  army.  These ' 
boats  were  built  with  both  ends  alike,  so  as  to  steer  with  an  oar  at  each 
end,  and  to  stow  in  nests  of  thre.'  each,  the  largest  one  measuring  forty 
feet  in  length.  One  hundred  and  forty-one  boats,  or  forty-seven  nests 
were  contracted  for  and  built;  out  of  this  number,  however,  only  sixty- 
five  had  reached  head-quai-ters  by  the  the  time  they  were  required  for  the 
landing  of  the  troops. 

"The  army  sailed  from  the  rendezvous  at  Lobos  Island  on  tiie  5th  of 
March.    In  anticipation  of  the  arrival  of  the  transports  off  Vera  Cruz,. 


84 


NAVAL  mSTORT. 


[1847. 


the  frigate  Potomac  and  the  sloops  of  war  Albany  and  John  Adams  were 
stationed  in  the  vicinity  of  Isla  Verde,  (some  five  miles  to  seaward  of  the 
city,)  with  orders  to  put  an  officer  on  board  each  vessel  as  she  amved,  to 
pilot  her  into  the  anchorage  at  Anton  Lizardo ;  or  should  the  number  of 
officers  prove  inadequate  to  this  duty,  to  furnish  the  masters  of  the  trans- 
ports with  such  sailing  directions  as  would  enable  them  to  pass  inside  of 
the  Blanquilla  Reefs  tx)  the  anchorage. 

"The  naval  squadron,  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Conner, 
and  the  transports  having  on  board  the  troops  and  their  eqiripments, 
under  the  command  of  Major-general  Scott,  were  thus  concentrated 
at  the  anchorage  between  the  island  of  Salmadina  and  Point  Anton 
Lizardo :  a  distance  of  some  ten  or  twelve  miles.,  to  the  eastward  of  Vera 
Cruz. 

"  As  fast  as  those  transpoi-ts  having  on  board  aoy  of  the  surf-boats  ar- 
rived, the  boats  were  launched  under  the  direction  of  a  heutenant  of  the 
squadron,  their  equipment  inspected,  and  every  thing  belonging  to  them 
fully  prepared  for  service ;  after  which  they  were  hauled  up  on  the  land- 
ward side  of  the  island,  and  an'anged  and  numbered  by  divisions;  each 
division  consisting  of  ten  boats,  taken  from  all  the  different  sizes. 

"  In  the  mean  time  a  speedy  debarkation  was  resolved  upon ;  it  being 
important  that  a  landing  should  be  effected  before  'a  norther'  a},ould 
come  on,  as  that  would  delay  the  opemtion  several  days.  .  Accordingly, 
the  Goneral-in-cliief  and  the  Commodore  of  the  squadron  made  a  joint 
reconnoissance  in  the  steamer  Petrita,  with  a  view  of  selecting  the  most 
advantageous  point  for  that  purpose.  The  choice  lay  principally  between 
Point  Anton  Lizardo,  opposite  which  the  squadron  and  transports  lay  an- 
chored, and  the  beach  directly  abreast  the  island  of  Sacrificios.  The  great 
objection  to  the  first  of  these  two,  was  the  distance  (about  fifteen  miles) 
that  the  troops  would  have  to  march  before  reacliing  the  point  of  .iitack; 
while,  at  the  same  time,  the  road  led  through  deep,  loose  sand,  and  ' , 
volved  the  passage  of  one  or  two  considerable  streams.  As  to  the  mc.e 
landing,  however,  it  was  deemed  quite  as  good  as  that  near  Sacrificio?. 
The  selection  of  this  last-named  point,  obviated  the  difficulty  already 
mentioned,  being  Avithin  two  and  a  half  miles  of  the  city  walls,  although 
it  had  its  own  disadvantages.  The  exceedingly  confined  space  afforded 
here  for  a  secure  anchorage,  rendered  it  dangerous,  in  the  then  season  of 
'northers,'  to  bring  up  many  of  the  transports.  It  was  therefore  sug- 
gested to  transfer  all  the  troops  from  the  transports  to  the  men-of-wai'  and 
steamers,  and  after  their  debarkation,  to  order  up  from  Anton  Lizardo  such 
transpoits  with  provisions  and  stores,  as  might  first  bo  required;  which, 
in  turn,  might  make  room  for  others,  till  all  should  be  landed.* 

"In  view  of  all  these  considerations,  the  beach  near  Saorificios  was 
deemed  the  most  eligible  point,  and  the  debarkation  was  appointed  to  take 
place  on  the  8th  of  March.  General  orders  were  therefore  issued  on  the 
7th,  by  the  Commodore,  and  the  Commanding  General,  prescribing  the 
necessary  arrangements. 


•  Subsequent  to  the  landing,  however,  the  transports  were  ordered  to  Sacrificios  in  too  great 
numbers;  and  a  gale  o'wind  coming  on  from  the  north,  about  forty  vesseU  were  blown  upon 
the  beach. 


'?'t|? 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


85 


"The  surf-boats  were  apportioned  for  use  among  the  men-of-war  as 
follows: 

Frigate  Raritan, 16. 

Frigate  Potomac, 20. 

Sloop  of  war  Albany, 10. 

Sloop  of  war  St.  Marys, 10. 

Steamer  Princeton, 10. 

"These  vessels  were  directed  to  furnish  to  each  boat,  so  np|X)rtionod  to 
them,  a  crew  of  seven  seamen,  and  a  junior  or  petty  officer  to  command 
it.  Each  division  of  ten  boats  was  commanded  by  a  lieutenant,  and  in 
some  instances,  was  divided  between  two  of  that  grade ;  the  general  di- 
rection of  the  whole  remaining  always  with  the  senior.  Captain  Forrest, 
commanding  the  frigate  Raritan,  was  ordered  to  superintend  the  whole 
operation. 

"  The  officers  detailed  for  this  duty  were  sent  on  shore  the  day  previous 
to  the  debarkation,  and  the  boats  allotted  to  their  respective  ships  p<iinted 
out  to  them  as  they  lay  ranged  and  numbered  on  the  beach,  so  as  to  avoid 
confusion  and  an  indiscriminate  seizure  of  the  boat«,  when  they  shonld 
come  with  their  crews  at  daylight  to  launch  them.  The  boats'  anchors 
were  stowed  in  the  sterns  of  the  boats  with  their  hnwsers  coiled  clear  for 
running;  and  the  cockswains  were  instructed,  in  cani*  the  landing  shonld 
be  effected  in  a  heavy  surf,  to  drop  the  anchor  from  rhe  stem  out.si(le  the 
breakei's,  and  to  pay  out  the  hawser  as  the  boat  went  in,  so  timt  after 
the  ti'oops  should  have  jumped  out  in  shoal  water,  the  boat  could  be 
warped  out  again  through  the  breakers,  without  having  received  any 
injury  from  thumping  on  the  beach.* 

"The  troops  were  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  for  tlie  foll<'wing  distri- 
bution among  the  different  men-of-war  and  steamers,  to  take  passage 
from  Antf)n  Lizardo  to  Sacrificios. 

"  The  Ist  lino  under  Brevet  Brigadier-general  Worth,  consisting  of  tbe 
Ist  brigade  of  regulars  and  Captain  Swift's  company  of  sappers  tim^ 
minei-s,  to  bo  received  on  board  the  frigate  Raritan  and  the  .-st/eamem 
Princeton  and  Edith.     The  field  batteries  of  Captain  Taylor  and   '  ■'^" 
tenant  Talcott  (also  attached  to  this  line  and  to  be  landed  with  ^ 

to  be  towed  u.^  in  their  respective  transports,  by  the  steamers  Massaclui- 
setts  and  Alabamr.. 

"The  2d  line,  under  Major-general  Patterson,  consisting  of  the,Jst 
brigade  of  volunteei-s  commanded  by  Briga<lier  general  Pillow,  and  fhe 
South  Carolina  regiment  of  volunteersf  (all  of  the  2d  brigade  tlwit  luwi 
yet  arrived  out)  to  be  received  on  board  the  fi-igate  Potonmc  and  the 
steamers  Alabama  and  Virginia.  The  reserve,  under  Brin^adier-gpneral 
Twiggs,  consisting  of  the  2d  brigade  of  regulars,  to  be  received  on  board 
the  sloops  of  war  Albany  and  St,  Marys,  the  brig  Porpoise,  and  the 
steamers  Massachusetts,  Eudora  and  Petrita. 

•  This  precaution,  however,  proved  unnecessary  At  the  time  ot  Undinfr,  from  the  smooth 
state  of  the  water;  but  at  a  later  period,  while  landing  heavy  articlCB  in  a  «urf,  it  ww  resorted 
to  with  great  success.  ... 

+  The  South  Carolina  regiment,  tinding  themselves  crowded  out  of  the  voweU  u«»i(fnea  to 
their  transportation,  asked  and  received  permission  from  Captain  Sands  Qi  thj)  •t«»m«r  Vk9% 
to  take  passage  in  hia  vessel. 


it 


86 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847. 


"  Every  man  of  the  army  was  directed  to  take  in  his  haversack,  bread 
and  meat  (cooked)  for  two  days ;  and  the  vessels  of  war  were  ordered  to 
supply  the  troops  with  water  and  provisions,  while  on  board. 

"  A  system  of  signals  had  been  arranged  beforehand,  by  the  General- 
in-chief,  by  which  the  trauspcls  were  to  indicate  the  number  of  boats 
required  by  each  one  to  take  from  them  the  troops  they  had  on  board. 
They  were  to  hoist  a  flag  at  the  fore  for  each  boat  required  to  receive  the 
first  line,  and  to  haul  them  down  as  the  boats  arrived  alongside ;  in  hke 
manner  at  the  main  for  the  second  line,  and  at  the  mizzen  for  the  reserve. 
"  All  the  prehminary  arrangements  were  thus  completed  on  the  evening 
of  the  Vth,  but  the  next  morning  there  were  indications  of  a  "norther," 
and  the  movement  was  post^wned.  At  sunrise  on  th«  morning  of  the 
9th,  the  officera  and  men  detailed  for  that  duty,  were  sent  from  the  men- 
of-war,  to  launch  and  man  the  surf-boats.  Those  divisions  of  boats 
manned  by  the  Raritan  and  Princeton  were  assigned  to  the  transfer  of 
the  first  line ;  going  for  them  whenever  a  transport  had  flags  flying  at 
the  fore,  and  taking  them  to  the  vessels  of  war  and  steamers,  according 
to  the  herein  l)efore  mentioned  distribution.  In  like  manner  those  divi- 
sions manned  by  the  Potomac  were  assigned  to  th'  nsfer  of  the  second 
hne,  and  those  by  the  Albany  and  St.  Marys  to  -^rve. 

"Each  of  the  frigates  received  on  board  I  ,  ween  t  venty-five  and 
twenty-eight  hundred  men,  M'ith  their  arms  and  a  "'  +,rements;  the  sloops 
received  about  nine  hundired  each,  and  the  smaller  vessels  numbers  in 
proportion. 

"  When  all  were  transferred,  the  fifteen  boats  belonging  to  the  Raritan 
were  taken  to  the  steamer  Spitfire  to  be  towed  to  Sacrificioe ;  the  steamer 
Vixen  went  alongside  the  Potomac  and  took  in  tow  the  twenty  boats  belong- 
ing to  her;  the  Albany  sent  her  ten  to  the  steamer  Eudora,  the  St.  Marys' 
ten  were  sent  to  the  steamer  Petrita,  and  the  Princeton  took  in  tow  her 
own  ten.  At  the  same  time  the  vessels,  so  sending  them,  detailed  two 
lieut^enants  r.nd  two  midshipmen  to  remain  on  boar(;l  the  towing  steamers, 
and  look  out  for  their  ooata,  together  with  two  seamen  for  each  boat, 
who  weie  to  remain  in  them,  and  steer  thein  during  the  tow. 

''  This  part  of  the  movement  wap  completed  very  successfully  about  10 
o'clock  A.  M. ;  and  a  few  moments  thereafter,  the  squadron  and  such  of 
the  transports  as  had  been  selected  for  the  purpose,  got  under  way  for 
Sacrific'os:  the  Generpl-in-chief  on  boai^  the  steamer  Massachusetts,  and 
the  Commodore  of  tbe  squadron  in  the  frigate  Raritan. 

"The  weather  Avas  very  fine,  with  a  fresh  yet  gentle  breeze  from  the 
south-east  and  a  peifectly  smooth  sea.  The  passage  to  Sacrificios  occupied 
between  two  and  three  hours.  Each  vessel  came  in  and  .mchored  hi 
the  small  space  previously  allotted  to  her,  without  the  slightest  disorder 
or  confusioji,  the  anchoi-age  being  still  very  much  crowded  notwithstanding 
the  number  of  transpoi-ts  that  had  been  left  behind. 

"  The  del)ai-kation  coromencetl  on  the  instant.  Each  vessel  reclaiming 
her  Burf-boats  from  the  steamer  that  had  towed  them  up,  sent  them  to 
receive  the  first  line.  The  Princeton  was  ordered  to  take  a  position 
abreast  the  Ian(iing-i)Iace,  and  as  near  the  shore  as  possible;  and  the 
suif-boats  were  directed,  after  receiving  thfir  quota  of  soldiei-s,  to  rendez- 
vous ^tern  of  her,  and  tx3  form  there  in  a  double  hue-ahead,  according  to 


ijmxtaMi'B'f^ 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


87 


regiraentfl  and  companies,  and  in  prescribed  order  of  battle ;  the  two  head 
boats  holding  on  to  each  quarter  of  tho  Princeton,  other  two  holding  on 
to  them,  and  so  on,  with  the  regimental  flag  flying  in  the  head  boat  of 
each  regiment 

"  In  the  mean  time,  while  this  work  of  transfer  and  arrangement  was 
going  on,  the  steamers  Spitfire  and  Vixen,  and  the  five  gunboats  Petrel, 
Bonita,  Reefer,  Falcon,  and  Tampico  were  ordered  to  anchor  in  a  line 
parallel  with  and  as  close  in  to  the  beach  as  they  could  get,  to  cover  the 
landing  with  their  guns  if  necessary.  These  vessels  were  armed  chiefly 
with  32  pounder  shell  guns,  and  were  of  such  light  draught  (from  five 
to  eight  feet)  that  they  were  enabled  to  take  positions  within  good  grape 
range  of  tho  sh'ire. 

"  When  all  was  prepared,  the  boats  cast  off  from  the  Princeton,  and 
from  each  other,  squared  away  in  hne-abreast,  and  pulled  in  together  to 
the  beach,  where  the  troops  landed  without  the  slightest  opposition.  The 
boats  immediately  returned  to  the  vessels  for  the  second  line  of  the  army, 
and  afterward  tor  the  reserve ;  and  without  waiting  to  form  again  in  order 
of  battle,  they  continued  to  pour  the  troops  upon  the  beach,  in  successive 
trips,  as  fast  as  they  could  come  and  go.  At  some  places  the  loaded 
boats  grounded  on  the  bar,  or  false  beach,  some  twenty  yards  from  dry 
land ;  and  the  troops  had  to  wade  through  waistrdeep  water  to  get  ashore. 
This  occurred  in  comparatively  few  instances,  however;  and  aside  from 
the  inconvenience  of  these  few  wettings,  not  an  accident  of  any  kind 
occurred  throughout  th§  whole  operations.  No  enemy  appeared  to  dispute 
the  ground ;  and  General  Worth  had  the  satisfaction  of  forming  his  com- 
mand upon  the  neighboring  sand-hills  just  before  sunset.  The  landing 
commenced  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  and  before  10  o'clock  tliat 
night  upward  of  10,000  men,  with  stores  and  provisions  for  several  days, 
were  safely  deposited  on  the  beach. 

"  The  steamer  New  Orleans  with  the  Louisiana  regiment  of  volunteers, 
800  strong,  arrived  at  Anton  Lizardo  just  as  the  squadron  had  been  put 
in  motion  for  Sacrificios.  She  joined  them ;  and  her  troops,  together  with 
the  marines  of  the  squadron,  (who  formed  a  battalion,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Edson  of  the  marine  corps,)  were  landed  with  the  others. 
Other  troop  ships  came  in  subsequently ;  so  that  on  the  24th  of  March  the 
field  return  showed  a  total  of  12,603  men. 

"  In  the  mean  time,  also,  the  transports  were  ordered  up  successively 
from  Anton  Lizardo ;  and  whenever  the  weather  would  permit,  the  surf- 
boats  (still  manned  and  oflBcered  from  the  squadron)  were  constantly 
employed  in  landing  artillery,  horses,  provisions,  and  stores. 

'•  The  perfect  success  of  the  entire  operation  is  sufiiciently  evident  from 
the  foregoing,  without  further  demonstration.  It  only  remains,  therefore, 
to  add  a  few  words  from  the  report  of  the  two  commanding  ofticers, 
expressive  of  their  gratification.  Commodore  Conner  says: '  The  ofl^cers 
and  men  under  my  command  vied  with  each  other,  on  that  occasion,  in 
a  zealous  and  energetic  performance  of  their  duty.  I  cannot  but  express 
to  the  Department,  the  great  satisfaction  I  have  derived  from  witnessing 
their  eflbrts  to  contribute  all  in  their  power  to  the  success  of  theu-  more 
fortunate  brethren  of  the  army.' 
"  (xeneral  Scott  writes,  that  '  to  Commodore  Conner,  and  the  oflScew 


88 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847 


t. 


W'5 


and  sailors  of  his  command,  the  army  is  indebted  for  great  and  unceasing 
assistance,  promptly  and  cheerfully  rendered.  Their  co-operation  is  the 
constant  theme  of  our  gr  ititude  and  admiration.' " 

Pending  the  bombardment  of  Vera  Cruz,  Commodore  Conner,  who 
had  now  been  in  command  of  the  Home  squadron  more  than  three  years, 
and  .vhose  health  had  become  seriously  impaired,  was  relieved,  on  the 
21st  of  March,  by  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry,  and  returned  home  in  the 
Princeton. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  the  inveelir.ot^t  of  the  city  being  completed  and 
some  of  the  batteries  consti-ucted,  tb'i  *  rovemor  was  called  upon  to  surren- 
der. This  being  declined,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day  the  firing  commenced 
from  the  trenches,  and  was  returned  both  from  the  city  and  the  castle. 
At  the  same  time  the  two  small  steamers,  the  Spitfire  and  Vixen,  and  the 
five  gun-boats,  led  by  Commander  J.  Tattnall,  took  a  position,  near  the 
shore,  whence  their  heavy  shot  could  reach  the  city.  This  position  was 
gallantly  maintaiTed  and  their  fire  kept  up  with  rapidity  and  steadiness 
until  late  in  the  evening.  They  were  supplied  with  ammunition  during 
the  night,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  moved  to  a  still  nearer  and 
more  favorable  position,  wiience  the  firing  was  resumed.  It  soon  became 
apparent,  however,  that  the  flotilla  was  in  a  position  inconsistent  with  its 
safety,  and  it  was  consequently  recalled. 

It  being  the  earnest  desire  of  thfe  oflBcers  and  men  of  the  navy  to  take 
some  active  part  in  the  siege.  General  Scott  generously  assigned  them  a 
place  in  the  trenches.  Three  eight-inch  PaixhSa  guns  and  three  long 
32  pounders  were  landed  from  the  squadron;  and  after  vast  labor  in 
dragging  them  through  the  sand,  in  which  duty  the"  sailors  were  aided 
by  detachments  from  the  army,  they  were  mounted  in  batt'^ry  under  the 
superintendence  of  Commander  A.  S.  Mackenzie.  This  battery  was 
served  by  different  detachments  from  the  several  vessels,  composed  of 
lieutenants  and  other  officers  with  an  adequate  number  of  seamen,  all 
under  the  command  of  a  captain.  Each  detachment  was  on  duty  twenty- 
four  hours.  The  battery  opened  its  fire  on  the  24th  under  charge  of 
Captain  J.  H.  Aulick  of  the  Potomac.  As  soon  as  discovered,  it  drew 
u]X)n  itself  an  exceedingly  severe  fire  from  the  enemy's  guns,  which  was 
returned  dehberately  and  with  marked  effect  for  about  four  hours,  when 
the  supply  of  ammunition  failed.  The  loss  from  this  detachment  was 
five  seamen  killed  and  one  officer  and  four  men  wounded.  The  relief 
party  arrived  in  the  afternoon  under  the  command  of  Captain  Mayo  of 
the  Mississippi.  The  breastworks  having  been  much  shattered,  the  night 
was  spent  in  repairing  them.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  25th,  the  fire 
of  four  of  the  Mexican  batteries  was  concentrated  upon  this  work.  Au 
active  cannonade  was  continued  in  return  until  half-past  two  p.  m.,  when 
the  enemy's  guns  were  silenced.  Two  other  batteries  then  turned  their 
fire  upon  the  naval  battery,  and  they  also  were  soon  rendered  inefficient. 
During  this  day  Midshipman  T.  B.  Shubrick,  while  pointing  a  gun,  was 
killed.  One  seaman  was  kiUed  and  three  were  slightly  wounded.  Captain 
Mayo  was  relieved  at  the  close  of  the  day  by  Captain  S.  L.  Breese  of  the 
Albany.  The  cannonade  of  the  day  gave  employment  for  the  night  in 
restoring  the  dilapidated  defences.  In  the  morning  a  storm  so  filled  the 
air  with  dust  tliat  it  was  impossible  to  sight  the  gims,  and  socn  an  order 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


80 


18,  and  socn  an  order 


nrrived  from  the  Commander-in-chief  that  the  firing  need  not  l)e  resumed, 
as  negotiations  for  a  surrehder  were  in  progress.  During  the  siege,  the 
naval  batterj^  tlirew  one  thousand  Paixhan  shells  and  eight  hundre«l 
round  shot  into  the  enemy's  walls  ^nd  forts. 

In  the  commission  for  the  settlement  of  the  terms  of  capitulation, 
Captain  Aulick  represented  the  navy ;  and,  on  the  29th  of  March,  the 
combined  forces  of  the  army  and  navy  took  possession  of  the  city  and 
castle,  while  the  American  flag  floated  over  both  amid  a  grand  salute  from 
the  squadron  and  the  batteries. 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  of  Vera  Cruz,  a  combined  movement 
was  made  for  the  capture  of  Alvarado,  which,  after  the  two  previously 
mentioned  failures,  was  in  this  instance  accomplished.  General  Quitman, 
with  his  brigade  of  volunteer  troops,  was  directed  to  proceed  by  land,  in 
order  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  Mexicans,  and  especially  to  gain  pos- 
session of  the  horses  and  mules  of  that  region,  upon  which  the  army  was 
depending  for  a  forward  movement.  Commodore  Perry  directed  Lieu- 
tenant Charles  G.  Hunter,  commanding  the  steamer  Scourge,  to  proceed 
in  advance  with  that  vessel  and  blockade  the  harbor,  while  he  himself 
followed  with  the  other  vessels  more  slowly,  so  as  to  co-operate  with 
General  Quitman  when  ho  should  arrive  in  the  rear  of  the  town.  But 
Lieutenant  Hunter,  who  reached  the  bar  on  the  30th  of  March,  allowed 
himself  to  be  tempted  by  his  zeal  into  an  immediate  attack  upon  the 
fortifications  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  instead  of  obeying  the  letter  of 
his  orders  and  simply  maintaining  a  blockade.  The  next  day,  after  a 
renewal  of  the  attack,  the  Mexicans  withdrew  from  the  batteries  and  from 
the  town,  when  Lieutenant  Hunter  entered  the  river,  captured  four  schoon- 
ers, left  a  garrison  to  guard  the  place,  and  proceeded  up  to  Tlacotalpara. 
This  town  surrendered  without  resistance.  Thus  was  the  apparent  object 
of  the  expedition  accomplished  before  the  main  force  arrived ;  but  the 
important  purpose  of  drawing  supplies  for  the  army  from  this  quarter  was 
entirely  defeated,  as  the  Mexicans  escaped  with  their  animals  before  the 
land  force  could  hem  them  in.  Commodore  Perry  anived  on  the  2d  of 
April,  but  his  too  active  subordinate  had  left  nothing  to  be  done  in  the 
way  of  conquest.  Quiet  possession  was  taken  of  the  town,  and  of  such 
public  property  as  had  not  been  destroyed  when  the  enemy  evacuated 
the  place.  Sixty  cannon  were  found,  thirty-five  of  which  were  shipped 
and  the  remainder  destroyed.  Lieutenant  Hunter  was  immediately  placed 
under  arrest,  and  was  afterward,  by  the  sentence  of  a  court-martial,  dis- 
missed from  the  squadron  for  disobedience  of  orders. 

As  soon  as  Alvarado  was  reduced.  Commodore  Perry  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  a  movement  against  Tuspan.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the 
brig-i)t-war  Truxton  was  lost  on  the  bar  while  engaged  in  an  attempt  to 
capture  this  place.  Some  of  her  guns  were  now  mounted  in  the  forts 
which  defended  the  town ;  and  it  was  rather  a  point  of  honor  with  the 
navy  to  retake  them.  This  expedition  received  no  aid  from  the  army. 
The  Raritan,  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  officers  and 
men  from  the  Potomac,  the  Albany,  John  Adams,  Gennantown,  and 
Decatur,  and  the  bomb-vessels  Vesuvius,  Etna,  and  Hecla,  were  ordered 
to  rendezvous  at  the  Island  of  Lobos.  Commodore  Perry  in  the  Missis- 
sippi, accompanied  by  the  steamers  Spitfire,  Vixen,  and  Scourge,  and  the 


i 


90 


NAVAL  HIBTORT. 


1847.] 


guu-boats  Bonita,  Petrel,  and  Reefer,  with  »  pnrty  of  three  hundred  ofBcers 
and  men  fmm  the  Ohio,  sailed  fmin  HuorilioioB  on  the  12th  of  April. 
Joining  the  vessels  at  LoboB,  lie  arrival  otV  the  bar  of  Tuspan  on  the  17th, 
and  inado  preparations  for  an  att^u'K  the  next  day.  The  larger  ships 
being  anchored  outside,  the  Hinall  Htoauieits  the  gun-lwats,  and  about  thirty 
barges  crossed  the  bar  without  accidont  on  the  morning  of  the  18th. 
The  Avhole  force  detached  froni  the  Hhi|va — forming  the  landing  party  and 
carried  in  the  barges — amounted  to  1,400  ofllcers,  seamen  and  marines, 
with  four  pieces  of  light  artillery  for  land  norvico.  The  whole  was  led  by 
Commodore  Perry  on  board  the  stwimor  SpitHi-e^  The  approach  to  the 
town  was  defended  by  two  forts  on  the  right  luul  one  on  the  left  bank  of 
ihe  river,  in  very  excellent  positions  to  8Wt>ep  any  force  coming  up  stream. 
General  Cos  of  the  Mexican  arn\y  was  in  command  and  had  under  him 
a  force  of  650  troops.  When  the  flotilla  onmo  within  range  of  the 
enemy's  guns,  the  barges  sheeiHxl  ofi'  to  land  the  detachment  which  was 
to  operate  on  shore,  under  command  of  C^aptaiu  8.  L.  Breese,  while  the 
steamere  and  gun-boats  moved  \ip  the  riM*r.  The  Mexicans  made  'nt 
a  feeble  defence.  They  fired  fron»  the  fort**  and  also  with  nmske!  v  aktng 
the  borders  of  the  river.  But  as  the  Anu>rican  foive  came  up,  '.■■  •  rap- 
idly fell  back,  deserting  the  batterit»  lH*fv»rt»  the  land  party  could  get  near 
enough  to  storm  them.  Tho  att^u'k,  thon>foi>o,  proved  entirely  success! ii], 
and  tlie  capture  was  effwtoil,  with  a  K>ss  to  tho  Americans  of  only  three 
seamen  killed  and  five  oftic^ra  and  six  tnen  woimded.  The  guns  and  a 
quantity  of  ordnance  stores  Iwlongiug  to  tho  Truxton  were  recovered. 

The  i\.lbany  and  the  Reofor  weiv  lotl  to  watch  Tuspan.  The  Hecla 
was  sent  to  blockade  Soto  de  la  Muriiia,  tho  Etna  to  Tobasco  river,  the 
Porpoise  and  the  Vesuvius  to  Lagunju 

The  plan  of  Commodore  Perry  wjis  to  occupy  every  point  on  tho  coast 
at  which  supplies  could  bo  sent  into  Moxii'o,  and  thus,  by  diminishing 
her  capability  of  resistance,  to  aid  so  far  as  tho  navy  could,  the  conquering 
progress  of  the  army.  In  accordance  with  this  plan,  a  large  pirt  of  the 
squadron  now  cruised  to  the  eastward  m  far  as  Yucatan,  to  complete  the 
work  of  bringing  under  American  autliority  tho  maritime  towns.  The 
policy  of  the  United  States  was  also  now  change<l.  As  the  entire  coast 
v-as  in  our  possession,  and  its  towns  oitiier  garrisoned  or  watched  by  a 
sufficient  force,  it  \s  deemed  advisable  again  to  open  the  ports  to  die 
'Entrance  of  commerce,  and  to  direct  the  ivvenues  into  our  own  treasuiy. 
The  blockade  was  therefore  raised ;  a  naval  force,  however,  was  still  neces- 
sary to  maintain  the  now  revenue  system  M'hich  was  imposed. 

During  his  cruise  to  the  eastwani,  Commotlore  Perry  touched  at  the 
Goazacoalcos  river,  wlvare  he  finiud  u  fort  mounting  twelve  guns,  but 
deserted  by  its  garrison.  The  fort  was  blown  up  and  the  guns  destroyed. 
Tho  Stromboli,  bomb-vessel,  was  loft  to  guaixl  this  point.  He  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Laguna,  in  Yucatan.  This  jiort  w»»s  openetl,  and  Commander 
Magruder  of  the  Vesuvius  was  ap]'K)int»>d  governor.  The  flag-ship  Mis- 
sissippi then  returned  along  the  coast  and  met  tho  main  squadron  off  the 
Tobasco.  The  port  at  the  mo\ith  of  this  river  was  also  declared  open, 
and  Commander  Van  Brunt  of  the  Ktna  WJis  invested  with  authority  as 
civil  and  military  governor.  The  bltn'kado  of  tho  Goazacoalcos  was  also 
raised,  and  similar  authoritv  conferml  on  Commander  Walker  of  the 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


91 


Stromlx>ii  Commodore  Perry  alno  aBoeiuled  the  latter  river  nnd  roceivod 
the  formal  Bubmiasion  of  soveral  iuterior  towns,  llo  then  rutunuKl  to 
Vera  Cruz. 

Captain  Mayo,  who  had  been  appointed  the  governor  of  Alvorndo  and 
its  de{)endon»;'ies,  was  active  in  securing  the  submission  of  many  towns  in 
the  interior.  Most  of  them  voluntarily  acknowlodgtKl  his  authority  and 
came  peacci^uly  under  tlio  new  rule.  In  the  instance  of  one  military  expe- 
dition for  the  purpose  of  retlucing  a  refractory  town,  one  otlKt^r  and  nv« 
men  were  wounded  on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  Otherwise  the  oxtoji- 
sion  of  their  authority  over  a  considerable  region  was  uuattondod  with 
bloodshed. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Tobaaco,  however,  matters  did  not  remain  in  so  good 
a  couditi"  >r  V^'th  no  immediate  force  to  overawe  thoin,  the  Mexicans 
began  to  collets  in  considerable  numbers.  They  hold  ]H>»8e8Nion  of  tiio 
town,  and  constructed  fortifications  of  no  small  strength  at  ct)mnuuuling 
points  filong  the  river.  These  indications  of  insuboiilination  and  hostility 
hua  coiitmued  till  it  became  no  longer  prudent  to  disr(«gartl  thorn.  Com- 
modore PeTy,  therefore,  jjlanned  another  expedition  agjiinst  the  enemy 
in  this  quaiier. 

He  arrived,  on  the  13th  of  June,  off  the  river,  with  the  Mississippi, 
Raritan,  Albany,  John  Adams,  Decatur,  Germantown,  kSii-oniboli,  Vesu- 
vius, and  Washington,  and  the  steamers  Scornion,  Spitfire,  Sci.)urge,  and 
Vixen;  the  Etna  and  Bonita  being  already  within  the  bar  nt  their  station. 
A  large  force  from  the  several  shipa  was,  as  usual,  orgrtniztHl  and  placed 
in  the  barges.  It  numbered  in  all,  officers  includeil,  1,1  T;}  8tn>ng,  with 
seven  piecori  of  artillery.  Commodore  Perry  tran»ferl^'d  his  pennant  to 
the  steamer  Scorpion,  which,  in  connection  with  the  other  steatners,  took 
the  gun-boats  and  barges  in  tow,  and  conmienced  the  iwo^Mit  of  the  river 
on  the  14th.  No  appearance  of  an  enemy  occuri-ed  until  the  following 
day,  when  about  twelve  miles  below  the  town,  the  flotilla  was  fiixnl  upon 
by  an  arme  . ."  ive  concealed  in  the  cha[)parel  on  tlie  left  bank  of  tlio  river. 
This  fire  w..  soon  silenced  by  the  guns  and  musketry  of  the  vessels; 
and,  night  "mimg  on,  the  flotilla  lay  here  till  morning.  Some  distance 
farther  up,  artificial  obstructions  were  met  with  in  the  river,  and  opposite 
to  them  on  the  shore  was  a  well  constructt^l  bwastwork,  fiiuu  which  a 
strong  body  of  Mexicans  commenced  a  tire.  Fearing  that  the  steamers 
might  8utti?r  an  inconvenient  delay  before  being  able  to  pass  the  oUtruc- 
tions,  Cora  lodore  Pen-y  determined  to  land  at  this  j)oint,  niid  force  his 
way  through  to  the  city.  The  heavy  gims  of  the  flt>tilla  rakai  the 
intrenclimoiii  of  the  enemy,  and  the  landing  was  eftocttH.1  near  it.  In  ton 
minutes  the  entire  detachment  was  formal  on  the  sluMxs  with  seven 
pieces  of  artillery,  which  were  taken  from  the  boats  and  draggi^l  up  a 
steep  bank  of  twenty  feet  height,  by  the  sheer  sti-ength  of  the  men.  Three 
more  pieces  wire  also  landed  from  the  bomb-vessels,  and  thou  with  great 
enthusiasm  and  eagerness  the  co  umn  moved  t">  the  attack.  Tlieir  urogresR 
was  slow  O'l  account  of  the  high  grass  and  thick  chappaivl,  through  which 
they  were  obliged  tc  marcli,  at  the  same  tune  dragging  their  artillery 
with  them.  The  outposts  of  the  enemy  were  quickly  (Irivou  in,  and  their 
brcM^st'Vv  "Ir  was  desertel  without  comitig  to  ch^e  quartei'S.  The  stoamem 
also  ' . .'  now  passed  the  obstnictions  and  were  able  to  co-oixjmt^  with 


92 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847. 


the  land  party.  Thoy  l)ol(lly  sailed  on,  ret<^^'iiig  and  rctuniing  the  firo 
from  the  <inemy'«  intronchinentw,  as  thoy  pawnxl  hy.  Al)out  a  tmU 
farther  up  wan  a  principal  work  of  the  MoxicanB,  situatotl  on  a  coniinand- 
ing  point  and  doronde<l  by  three  liiindred  regular  and  b»  many  irn^trular 
troopfl.  They,  howevc  .  -od  fire  but  a  short  time,  when  they  foil  back 
upon  their  remaining  f  :';..ce«.  These  coimist(K.l  of  another  breastwork,  a 
mile  and  a  half  from  the  city — behind  this  al)out  a  auarter  of  a  mile,  a 
trench  across  the  road,  filled  with  trees,  their  brancneB  sharpened  and 
lapped — and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  still  nearer  the  city,  an  oxtonsivo  fortifi- 
cation commanding  the  river  and  the  road,  occupi«Hl  by  four  hundred 
artillery  and  infantry.  These  works  were  succcfwivtly  carried  with  but  a 
feeble  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  enemy. 

During  this  march  of  nine  miles  the  heat  was  exceedingly  oppressive, 
and  several  men  sank  down  through  exhaustion,  eepcially  among  those 
who  were  attached  to  the  f'eld-pioces.  The  other  casualties  were  tb* 
wounding  of  two  ofiicers  and  seven  seamen.  The  Mexicans  had  at  least 
fourteen  hundred  men  in  the  action,  of  whom  aboiit  thirty  were  killed. 
Commodore  Perry's  command  entered  Tobosco  about  four  o'clock  in  tbe 
afternoon  of  the  16th.  A  large  quantity  of  milit^iry  stores  was  destroyed, 
the  captured  cannon  were  renuived  to  the  vessels,  the  powder  m^aziiie 
was  blown  up,  and  the  entire  fortifications  in  and  near  the  city  wero 
demolished. 

As  the  enemy  still  hovered  around  Tobasco,  it  was  necessary  to  leave 
a  strong  force  to  keep  them  in  check.  Accordingly  the  Scorpion,  Etna, 
Spitfire,  and  Scourge,  containing  four  hundred  and  twenty  officers  and 
men,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  fifteen  were  marines,  were  directed  to 
remain  ofi"  the  city  under  the  orders  of  Commander  A.  Bigclow.  On  the 
night  of  the  25th  of  June,  an  attack  was  made  by  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Mexicans  on  the  guard  stationed  in  the  main  square  of  the  town ;  they 
were  repulsed,  and  without  loss  to  Ihe  Americans.  On  the  same  day  a 
party  of  twenty  seamen,  while  on  shore,  wero  attacked  by  seventy  Mexi- 
cans, and  one  of  the  former  was  wounded,  the  enemy  losing  one  killed 
and  six  wounded.  Small  parties  of  the  enetny  occupied  the  outskirts  of 
the  town,  and  it  was  therotbro  necesnary  that  the  detachments  on  shore 
should  be  continually  on  the  alert.  Lieutenant-commandant  Poi-ter  was 
also  directed  to  burn  the  ranehos  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  town,  in 
which  the  Mexican  troops  shehered  themselves.  These  were  destroyed, 
to  the  nuraoer  of  two  hundred.  At  a  village  called  Tamnltay,  about 
three  iniles  distant,  some  five  huAdred  Mexicans  were  coUec-ted,  and 
from  this  point,  as  head-quartent,  these  annoying  attacks  were  kept  up. 
Commander  Bigelow  determined  to  dislodge  them  from  this  position, 
and  so,  if  possible,  disperse  them.  Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  the 
30th  of  June,  he  marched  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  and  forty  men,  with 
two  field-pieces,  in  the  direction  of  the  village.  "When  still  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  from  it,  his  command  was  assailed  by  a  fire  of  musketry  from  loth 
sides  of  the  road,  where  the  Mexicans  had  posted  themselves  in  ambush. 
The  column  remained  firm  and  promptly  returned  the  firo.  The  Mexi- 
cans still  held  their  ground  until  the  artillery  was  brought  into  action, 
when,  after  a  few  discharges,  they  broke  and  fled  in  confusion.  The 
pursuit  proved  ineffectual,  as  the  enemy  were  too  well  acquainted  with 


M 


1847.] 


NAVAL  UI3T0RT. 


98 


the  avoniim  of  escape  to  \)q  overtaken.  The  Aniorioans  Kint  two  niou 
killed  and  Hvu  wounded ;  the  \mi  on  the  other  Hide  could  not  be  lutcer- 
tain<<d.  Two  steanierH,  which  started  up  the  river  witii  the  i)urpo6o  of 
co-operating  in  the  attack  on  the  village,  iti  conHe(|uenco  of  grounding, 
throut,'h  ignorance  of  the  channel,  ilid  not  roach  their  point  of  dustinatiou 
uutil  the  battle  had  Insen  decidtnl. 

This  action  brought  hoMtilitieu  to  a  clo»e  in  this  quarter,  and  shortly 
after,  the  vessels  were  withdrawn  and  resumed  their  stations  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river  and  at  other  points  along  the  cojwt.  Guerilla  parties  still 
disturbed  the  ^habitants  in  tho  vicinity  of  Alvarmlo  and  Froatera,  but  uo 
serious  .  er-.  occurred. 

Tlip  by  this  time  had  b'^en  greatly  reduced,  it  b'^;; ,,  .     'inger 

necen-^  utuin  on  tho  coast  service,  so  large  a  fo;        ,  'a  been 

asseiii  "*  to  tho  capture  of  Vera  Cruz.    The  v-  no,  i'     Fuveral 

frigatt .  id  a  part  of  the  sloopc,  had  been  detachwl  from  the 

squadroi  a    ;u8t  the  vessels  remaining  under  tho  orders  of  ('ommo- 

d()re  Perry,  were  the  Mississippi,  Germantown,  Decatur,  iSaratogJi,  John 
Adams,  five  small  steamers,  four  gun-boats,  and  four  bomb-vessels. 

In  relating  the  services  of  tho  navy  during  the  Mexican  war,  it  should 
also  be  mentioned  that  a  di'iachment  of  the  marines  of  the  squadron, 
under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Watson  of  that  corjw,  served  with 
the  anny  of  General  Srolt.  It  joined  the  main  army  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  city  of  Mexico,  ami  in  time  to  take  part  in  those  celebrated  actions 
which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  national  capital.  It  was  attached  to 
til'  division  of  Major-general  Quitman,  and  wjjs  first  brotight  into  battle 
on  tho  13th  of  September,  on  the  occasion  of  the  storming  of  the  strong 
fortress  of  Chapultepec  and  of  tho  fortifications  which  covered  tho  Beleii 
gate  of  the  city.  At  the  base  of  the  hill  on  which  Chapultepec  is  situated, 
and  on  the  left  flank,  were  two  batteries  of  considerable  strength,  protected 
al«o  by  some  solid  buildings  and  a  wall  fifteen  feet  high.  It  was  at  this 
point  that  General  Quitman's  division  was  to  advance  to  the  attack  upon 
the  Castle.  The  storming  party  was  selected  from  the  difterent  volunteer 
corps  of  the  division,  including  ther(*fore  a  part  of  the  marine  coi-ps,  and 
was  placed  under  the  command  of  Major  Levi  Twiggs  of  the  marines. 
A  pioneer  storming  party  of  select  men,  with  ladders,  pickaxes  and  crow- 
bars, was  led  by  Captain  Reynolds,  also  of  the  marines.  Associated  with 
tht^e,  was" also  a  ntorming  party  of  regulars,  detailed  from  General  Twigg"s' 
division,  and  under  its  own  ofticei-s. 

A  heavy  and  prolonged  cannonade  had  been  maintained  from  vai'ious 
points  upon  the  Castle  and  its  outworks,  in  order  to  open  the  way  for  tlie 
contemplated  assault.  On  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  concerted  attack 
commenced  w4th  the  difterent  divisions  of  the  army  under  the  immediate 
directions  of  the  Commander-in-chief.  General  Quitni  m's  command 
advanced  over  difficult  ground  and  with  slight  protection,  under  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  fortress,  the  batteries  and  the  breastworks  of  the  enemy,  the 
storming  parties  leading  the  column.  Fhe  battali<  m  of  marines  was  also 
posted  in  a  prominent  position,  whei«  it  could  support  the  storming  par- 
ties. The  severe  fire  of  the  enemy  soon  revealed  its  eft'ects  upon  the 
advancing  column.  The  brave  and  lamented  Major  Twiggs  was  killed 
on  the  first  advance,  at  the  head  oi  his  command.     But  there  was  no 


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94 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847 


i>i"'ii> 


halting.  The  storming  party  rushed  on  to  its  desperate  duty  with  resist- 
less force,  and  entered  the  Mexican  works.  It  was  closely  and  ably 
supported.  The  Mexicans  stood  their  ground  with  unusual  resolution 
and  courage.  The  contest  was  now  hand  to  hand  —  swords  and  bayonets 
were  crossed  and  rifles  were  clubbed.  But  the  valor  and  enthusiasm  of 
the  Americans  still  triumphed.  These  outworks  were  carried  and  the 
way  to  the  fortress  from  this  direction  was  opened.  The  troops  did  not 
pause  on  this  threshold  of  their  conquest,  but  pressed  on  and  fought  their 
way  into  Chapultepec  by  the  side  of  their  brethren,  who  had  been  equally 
successful  at  the  other  points  of  attack.  -.^i  :,';•??■.,; 

The  marines  still  accompanied  their  division  in  its  progNss  al6ng  Ihe 
cuuseway  toward  the  Belen  gate,  and  participated  in  the  long  and  bloody 
battle  by  which,  finally,  this  avenue  to  the  city  was  opened.  On  the 
morning  of  the  14th,  the  division  of  General  Quitman  entered  the  city, 
and  was  the  first  portion  of  the  army  which  marched  into  the  Orand 
Plaza  The  palace,  now  deserted  by  the  Mexican  authorities,  was  overrun 
with  the  desperate  characters  of  the  population,  bent  on  plunder.  Lieu- 
tenant-colonel Watson,  with  his  battalion  of  marines,  was  ordered  to  clear  it 
of  these  intruders  and  protect  it  from  spoliation ;  which  duty  he  promptly 
and  successfully  performed.  This  corps  lost  in  the  actions  detailed  abipve. 
Major  Twiggs  and  six  men  killed,  two  lieutenants  and  two  sergeahts 
wounded. 

Lieutenant  Semmes  of  the  navy,  who  served  as  a  volunteer  aid  in 
General  Worth's  stafl^  and  Passed  Midshipman  Rogers  who  was  employed 
in  the  same  capacity  in  General  Pillow's  stafl^  received  high  commenda- 
tions from  their  chiefe  for  their  conduct  in  the  several  batties  around  the 
city  of  Mexico.  ""''''    ''-      >■• 

The  conclusion  of  the  war  released  the  naval  force  from  its  monotonous 
duty  of  guarding  the  coast,  and  protecting  the  revenue  interests.  Since 
this  epoch,  now  memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  country,  the  navy  has 
been  employed  in  no  hostile  operations,  its  power  being  occupied  simply 
in  the  appropriate  duties  of  a  state  of  peace. 


,'  ^  ""li  '. 


CHAPTER  VIL 


Lienteiunt  I>nch'g  expedition  to  the  Dead  Sea  in  1848— Dangeroas  navigation  of  the  Biver 
Jordan  —  Scientific  results  of  the  expedition  —  The  Orinnell  expedition  in  search  of  Sir 
Jolin  Franlclin  —  Dapgers  of  the  ice  —  Severe  cold  and  darkness  —  No  tidings  of  the  lost 
Mariners  —  Expeditious  to  Japan,  Ohina,  River  La  Plato,  and  western  coast  of  Afi-ica  —  Con- 
dition and  resources  of  the  Navy  ia  1853. 

Though  the  navy  is  strictly  a  military  organization,  and  its  martial 
achievements  constitute  its  essential  renown,  yet  its  incidental  services  to 
science,  or  to  any  of  the  arts  that  facilitate  human  intercourse  and  promote 
human  improvement^  are  without  doubt  worthy  to  be  chronicled  in  its 
history.    In  accordance  with  this  idea  of  the  historian's  duty,  a  brief 


1848.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


95 


account  must  be  ffiven  of  an  expedition  to  explore  the  course  of  the  river 
Jordan,  and  the  snores  of  the  Dead  Sea,  which  was  planned  and  executed 
by  William  F.  Lynch,  lieutenant  in  the  navy  of  the  United  States. 

An  application  for  this  purpose  was  made  by  Lieutenant  Lynch  in  the 
early  pit  of  the  year  1847,  to  the  proper  authorities  at  Washington. 
The  privilege  was  granted  in  July,  and  he  was  directed  to  make  his  pre- 
parations at  the  expense  of  the  Department  In  October  he  was  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  store-ship  Supply,  destined  to  the  Mediterranean 
with  naval  stores  for  the  squadron.  Every  thing  necessary  for  so  unusual 
an  enterprise  was  carefully  selected  and  placed  on  board  of  the  Supply, 
which  staled  from  New  York  on  the  26th  of  November.  In  February, 
1848,  she  reached  Smyrna,  where  Lieutenant  Lynch  left  the  ship  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Constantinople,  to  obtain  from  the  Subhme  Porte  the  requisite 
authority  to  cross  through  Palestine  with  his  pai-ty.  This  obtained,  with 
orders  to  the  governors  of  the  region  to  afford  him  aid  and  protection,  he 
returned  to  his  ship,  and  on  the  Slat  of  March,  was  landed  with  his  boata 
and  party  on  the  beach  at  Haifa,  in  the  bay  of  Acre,  on  the  coast  of  Syria. 

The  boats  provided  for  the  expedition  were  constructed  on  the  principle 
of  the  life-boats  of  Mr.  Francis,  one  being  made  of  copper  and  the  other 
of  galvanized  iron.  They  were  fitted  on  trucks,  and  were  drawn  by 
camels  across  the  country  from  Acre  to  Tiberias,  on  the  western  shore  of 
the  sea  of  Gahlee.  The  party  consisted  of  Lieutenant  Lynch,  Lieutenant 
Dale,  Passed  Midshipman  Aulick —  Mr.  Bedlow  and  Mr.  Anderson,  volun- 
teers—  and  eleven  petty  oflBcers  and  seamen.  They  carried  with  them  a 
large  blunderbuss,  and  each  officer  and  seaman  was  fully  provided  with 
small-arms.  Supplies  for  the  party  were  transported  on  camels,  and  a 
guard  of  mounted  Arabs  was  also  engaged.  Thus  the  entire  caravan 
consisted  of  twenty-three  camels,  about  eighteen  horses  and  some  thuty 
men,  and,  as  it  wound  through  the  secluded  villages  of  Palestine,  presented 
a  novel  and  picturesque  appearance. 

At  Tiberias,  Lieutenant  Lynch  obtained  a  wooden  boat,  in  which  he 
embarked  a  part  of  his  stores;  but  this  was  soon  so  much  damaged  in 
the  difficult  navigation  of  the  Jordan,  that  it  became  entirely  unservice- 
able. On  the  10th  of  April,  they  left  Tiberias  and  stretched  down  the 
lake.  Besides  the  party  in  the  boats,  there  was  a  party  composed  princi- 
pally of  Arabs,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Dale,  which  kept  com- 
pany on  the  western  shore  of  the  river,  in  order  to  be  at  hand  in  assisting 
their  companions  in  any  emergency.  Lieutenant  Lynch  occupied  eight 
days  in  sailing  from  the  lake  to  the  Dead  Sea.  So  sinuous  is  the  course, 
of  the  river,  that  it  passes  over  about  two  hundred  miles  in  accomplishing  a 
direct  distance  of  sixty.  The  navigation  was  found  to  be  of  the  most  exciting 
and  hazardous  character.  No  boata  could  have  passed  through  the  severe 
ordeal  but  the  metallic  ones  so  wisely  provided.  These,  manned  by  their 
intrepid  crews  and  guided  by  their  skillful  officers,  shot  down  frightful 
cascades  and  plunged  into  boiling  torrents,  and  though  receiving  some 
hard  blows  by  coming  in  contact  with  the  sunken  rocks,  they  carried 
the  adventurous  navigators  unharmed  through  every  danger.  At  times 
it  was  necessary  for  the  men  to  spring  out,  and,  holding  the  boats  by  their 
sides  to  guide  them  by  main  strength  down  the  rapid  current 

luucod  the  labors  and  exposures  incident  to  such  a  voyage  were 


96 


KAVAi  Histeittr. 


[1848. 


exoeesive,  and  cannot  be  detailed  in  this  short  account  The  party  was  also 
fortunate  in  escaping  any  attacks  from  wandering  Arabs,  which  from 
all  representations  they  had  been  led  to  expect  The  officers  were  respec- 
tively occupied  in  making  observations  relating  to  the  topography,  and 
the  geological  and  botanical  characteristics  of  the  country  through  which 
they  passed. 

On  the  18th  of  April,  they  entered  the  dreary  and  mysterious  waste 
of  waters  so  appropriately  called  the  Dead  Sea.  Their  first  encampment 
was  at  Feshkah,  on  the  western  shore  of  the  sea,  about  five  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Jordan,  where  the  land-party  joined  them,  as  they  had 
previously  done  whenever  it  was  practicable  to  meet  It  was  with  great 
difficulty  that  the  navigators  reacned  this  point,  for  they  encountered  a 
gale  very  soon  after  entering  the  sea,  which,  acting  upon  the  ponderous 
water,  made  it  almost  impossible  to  work  the  boats  toward  the  shore, 
and  night  settled  down  upon  them  in  these  gloomy  circumstances.  After 
severe  toil  they  were  able  to  reach  their  companions  on  shore.  Amid 
the  impressive  and  sublime  scenery  of  this  sea,  Lieutenant  Lynch  anH  his 
party  spent  several  weeks.  They  established  a  permanent  encampment, 
and  from  this  center  made  constant  and  extensive  tours  of  exploration. 
Various  lines  of  soundings  were  run,  for  the  purpose  of  determming  the 
depth  of  the  water  in  difierent  parta  of  the  sea,  and  quite  a  careful  ob^r\'a- 
tion  was  made  of  all  the  shores,  particularly  the  western  and  southern. 
This  expedition  has  certainly  the  honor  of  determining  the  course  and 
characteristics  of  the  Jordan,  in  modem  times  very  imperfectly  known, 
and  of  throwing  much  light  upon  the  geography  and  physical  peculiari- 
ties of  the  Dead  Sea.  It  was  well  planned  and  equipped,  and  possessed 
that  combination  of  means  for  the  want  of  which  most  individual  travel- 
ers in  the  same  region  had  been  hitherto  unsuccessful,  and  some  of  them 
very  unfortunate. 

Much  enthu: '  and  energy  were  displayed  by  all  concerned  in  this 
expedition,  an<~  ugh  in  some  instances  sufiering  occurred  amid  the 
contingencies  of  so  strange  and  unknown  a  region,  yet  so  admirably  was 
every  possible  precaution  taken  and  every  arrangement  carried  ou^  that 
all  the  anticipated  results  were  accomplished  without  serious  accident  to 
ar'^  of  the  number.  Having  finished  the  explorations,  the  boats  were 
taliieu  to  pieces  and  placed  upon  the  backs  of  camels,  the  encampment  was 
broken  up,  and  the  party,  gladly  bidding  farewell  to  the  solemn  and  deso- 
late scene,  on  the  10th  of  May  commenced  their  journey  to  the  Mediter- 
ranean by  way  of  Jerusalem.  A  part,  however,  were  detailed  for  the 
performance  of  a.  still  remaining  duty — ^the  accurate  determination  of  the 
actual  depression  of  the  Dead  Sea  beneath  the  level  of  the  Mediterranean. 
The  result  arrived  at  by  Lieutenant  Symonds — an  English  officer,  who 
had  by  a  course  of  trigonometrical  calculation  determined  the  depression 
to  be  thirteen  hundred  and  twelve  feet — had  excited  surprise  among 
scientific  men.  It  was  a  matter  of  interest,  therefore,  to  test  this  conclu- 
sion. A  series  of  levels  was,  consequently,  carried  across  the  country  by 
this  detachment  from  Lieut  Lynch's  party,  which  occupied  twenty-three 
days  in  the  slow  and  laborious  process.  The  result,  however,  was  gratifying. 
The  difference  between  the  level  of  the  Dead  Sea  and  that  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean was  found  to  be  almost  precisely  what  Lieut  Symonds  had  stated. 


I860.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


■  Vj*i.ii 


n 


■■'i  For  a  full  account  of  this  entire  expedition^  the  reader  is  referred  to 
Lieutenant  Lynch's  published  volume. 

In  the  history  of  our  navy,  may  also  with  propriety  be  mentioned  the 
creditable  though  unsuccessful  expedition  to  the  Polar  Seas,  during  the 
years  1850-61,  in  search  of  the  long  absent  party  of  Sir  John  Franklin. 
This  was  an  individual  and  not  a  national  enterprise.    The  means  for  its 
prosecution  were  furnished  by  Mr.  Henry  Grinnell,  a  wealthy  and  phi- 
knthropic  merchant  of  New  York  city.     The  vessels  furnished  were  two 
small  brigs,  the  Advance  of  140  tons,  and  the  Rescue  of  90  tons.     They 
were  merchantmen,  but  were  strengthened  for  this  service.    By  a  special 
act  of  Congress,  they  were  placed  under  the  direction  of  the  Navy  Board, 
and  were  subjected  consequently  to  the  usual  regulations  and  discipline  of 
the  service.    The  officer  selected  for  the  command  was  Lieutenant  £.  H. 
De  Haven,  who  had  been  attached  to  the  Exploring  Expedition  under 
Commander  Wilkes.    The  selection  proved  a  very  judicious  one.        si ,  x 
On  the  23d  of  May,  1860,  the  expedition  sailed  from  New  York,  and 
without  any  particuhur  adventures,  began  to  meet  masses  of  ice  in  Mel- 
ville Bay  about  midsummer.    The  Rescue  was  here  thrown  into  a  very 
perilous  situation.    A  mass  of  ice  slid  under  her,  and  lifting  her  bodily 
from  the  water,  careened  her  over  nearly  on  her  beam-ends,  in  which 
position  she  remained  some  sixty  hours  before  they  were  able  to  right  her 
again.  ►  Their  progress  was  now  continued  only  by  boldly  pushing  mrough 
the  icebergs  and  floes,  until,  finally,  they  emerged  into  the  open  waters  of 
Lancaster  Sound.     Here,  overtaken  by  a  very  severe  gale,  the  vessels 
were  separated,  but  were  happy  in  meeting  again  a  few  days  after.   Thus, 
until  the  month  of  September,  they  continued  their  perilous  course  to  the 
westward,  when  they  reached  96**  west  longitude.     As  winter  was  now 
approaching,  and  the  ice  barrier  beyond  was  entirely  impenetrable,  the 
vessels  were  turned  to  the  eastward  to  find  more  genial  quarters  during 
the  long  polar  night     The  hopes  of  the  navigators  in  this  respect  were, 
however,  disappomted,  for  they  soon  became  firmly  locked  between  lai^e 
masses  of  floating  ice,  and  were  carried  by  an  irresistible  tide  to  the  north- 
ward, up  Wellington  Channel.    Winter  in  all  its  rigor  now  came  on. 
The  sun  no  longer  showed  his  disk  above  the  horizon  and  the  thermome- 
ter indicated  40"  below  zero.    The  Rescue  was  now  deserted,  and  both 
crews  took  up  their  abode  on  board  the  Advance,  which  was  made  quite 
comfortable  with  the  means  which  had  been  lavishly  provided.    The 
mental  and  physical  energy  of  the  men  was  maintained  by-  daily  and 
vigorous  exercise  in  the  open  air,  and  by  pleasing  entertainments  on  board 
the  vessel.    For  eleven  weeks  the  sun  was  invisible.    Yet  the  aspect  of 
nature  was  not  wholly  gloomy — they  were  delighted  and  cheered  by  fre- 
quent views  of  the  splendors  of  the  polar  sky.       t^t    ''\ 

After  having  diifted  some  distance  up  Wellington  channel,  they  found 
that  the  tide  had  changed,  and  that  they  were  floating  back  again  under 
the  influence  of  the  same  mighty  force  which  had  borne  them  onward. 
They  thus  passed  out  of  Wellington  Channel,  through  Barrow's  Straits  and 
into  Lancaster  Sound.  It  shoSd  be  borne  in  mind,  also,  that  during  all 
this  time  the  ice  was  constantly  shifting  and  threatening  the  vessels  mo- 
mentarily with  destruction.  Constantly  anxious  and  vigilant,  the  exposed 
navigators  were  ready  at  any  moment  to  leave  their  ships,  for  it  seemed 


III 
m 


1  » I 


98 


NAVAL  HISTORY.  ^ 


1800. 


J ,    r' 


V  t 


impoesible  that  they  could  sustain  such  an  enonnous  pressure.  At  one 
time  they  stood  upon  the  ice,  with  their  sleds  loaded  with  provisions,  and 
waiting  for  the  final  crash  which  would  demolish  their  home  and  leave 
them  on  the  treacherous  ice-fields  ninety  miles  from  land.  After  Decem- 
ber, however,  the  ice  became  solid,  and  they  were  relieved  from  this  source 
of  danger.  Thus  through  the  entire  winter  they  floated  along  the  south- 
ern shore  of  Baffin's  Bay  and  Davis'  Straits,  until  the  6th  of  June,  when 
with  fearful  suddenness  the  ice  broke  up  into  floating  pieces,  extending 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  They  finally  emeiged  mto  a  clear  sea, 
having  reached  the  entrance  of  Davis'  Straits  and  passed  to  the  south  of 
the  Arctic  circle.  They  had  thus  drifted  helplessly  in  the  arm  embrace 
of  the  ice,  from  the  last  of  September  till  the  first  of  June. 

Nothing  daunted,  they  again  turned  toward  the  north,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  prosecuting  their  search  through  another  summer.  But  in  the 
route  ^/hich  they  took,  the  impediments  were  so  serious  and  dangerous 
that  the  attempt  at  farther  explorations  was  abandoned.  The  Advance 
arrived  at  New  York  on  the  80th  of  September,  and  the  Rescue  came  in 
shortly  after,  when  the  vessels  were  resigned  by  the  Navy  Department 
into  the  hands  of  their  owner. 

This  expedition  failed,  as  have  all  those  fitted  out  from  England  also, 
in  the  attainment  of  its  main  object.  The  only  traces  of  the  party  of  jSir 
John  Franklin,  which  were  found,  were  discovered  on  the  27  th  of  August, 
1850,  by  the  united  English  and  American  expeditions  at  Beechy  Cape^ 
on  the  east  side  of  the  entrance  to  Wellington  Channel  These  traces 
consisted  of  several  articles  which  could  be  identified  as  belonging  to 
Frankhn's  ships,  and  also  of  three  graves,  with  head-boards  bearing  the 
names  of  those  interred,  who  were  sailora  attached  to  the  absent  expedi- 
tion. The  last  date  thus  inscribed  was  April  3d,  1846.  The  movements 
and  the  fate  of  Frankhn  beyond  this  point  and  this  period  are  entirely 
unknown.  Though  disappointed  in  solving  the  painful  mystery  which 
still  hangs  over  the  condition  or  the  end  of  the  bold  English  explorer, 
those  concerned  in  the  American  attempt  to  throw  light  upon  the  interests 
ing  question  have  the  satisfaction  of  feeling,  that  they  have  made  a  generous 
effort  in  behalf  of  a  stranger  and  a  foreigner. 

At  the  present  time,  1853,  the  resources  of  the  Navy  are  directed  in 
quite  an  unusual  degree  to  projects  which  contemplate  the  safety  and  the 
extension  of  American  commerce  and  the  maintenance  of  the  rights  of 
humanity.  The  most  prominent  of  these  projects  is  that  which  has  in 
view  the  establishment  of  commercial  relations  with  the  empire  of  Japan. 
ITie  government  of  that  large  nation  has  for  a  long  period  denied  to  other 
nations,  with  a  most  insignificant  exception,  all  access  into  its  ports  or 
territory;  has  refused  hospitality  and  succor  to  unfortunate  mariners,  and 
has  treated  with  great  cruelty  such  citizens  of  the  United  States,  as  well 
as  those  of  other  countries,  as  have  been  cast  by  shipwreck  upon  the  well- 
guarded  shores.  It  has  been  therefore  deemed  obligatory  by  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  to  make  an  attempt  to  obtain  from  this  jealous 
and  secluded  people,  a  recognition  and  obser\'ance  of  the  rights  of  human- 
ity, and  also  to  induce  them,  if  possible,  to  abandon  their  present  absurd 
commercial  policy.  The  extension  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
along  the  shore  oi  the  Pacific,  and  the  presence  of  a  large  whaling  fleet 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


88 


foreign  vessels  who  so  nobly  and  generously  risked  their  own  lives  in 
saving  some  of  their  fellow-men  from  the  wreck  of  the  unfortunate 
Somers. 

Commodore  Perry,  with  the  Mississippi,  Vixen,  Bonita  and  Petrel,  ar- 
rived off  the  town  of  Lacuna,  in  the  province  of  Yucatan,  on  the  20th 
of  December.  Leaving  the  Mississippi  oflf  the  bar,  he  took  the  schoonen 
and  barges  in  tow  of  the  Vixen,  and  proceeded  up  to  the  town.  Posses- 
sion was  taken  without  any  difficulty,  and  the  military  stores  seized.  Two 
forts  were  occupied,  the  American  flag  hoisted  upon  them,  and  the  guns 
and  carriages  destroyed.  Commander  Sands,  with  the  Vixen  and  Petrel, 
was  left  in  charge  of  the  place.  On  returning  along  the  coast,  Lient. 
Comd't  Benham,  in  the  Bonita,  was  left  at  Tobasco  river,  to  assume  the 
command  of  the  blockading  vessels  at  that  point. 

The  year  1847  conmien^  with  very  extensive  and  active  preparations 
for  the  contemplated  attack  on  Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  St.  Juan 
d'Ulloa.  The  descent  of  so  large  a  body  of  troops  as  was  necessary  for 
the  grand  plan  of  the  campaign,  upon  an  open  coast,  with  the  needful 
but  heavy  encumbrance  of  its  military  supplies,  could  be  no  light  work ; 
and  the  aid  of  the  navy  was  in  all  aspects  of  the  undertakmg  india- 
pensable.  Great  activity  consequently  pervaded  this  department  of  the 
national  government  Bomb-ketche&  and  steamers  were  purchased,, 
equipped  and  sent  to  the  Gulf.  The  Ohio  74,  which  was  preparing  for 
the  Pacific,  and  the  sloops  Germantown  20,  Saratoga  20,  and  Decatur  16,. 
were  rapidly  fitted  out  and  ordered  to  join  the  squadron.  On  the  coast  of 
Mexico  was  soon  assembled,  around  Vera  Cruz  as  a  centre,  or  scattered 
off  different  ports  on  blockading  duty,  probably  the  laigest  fbrce  ever 
under  the  command  of  a  single  American  naval  officer. 

The  transports,  conveying  troops  and  supplies,  were  directed  to  rendez- 
vous al  the  island  of  Lobos,  which  lies  about  twelve  miles  off  the  coast, 
some  sixty  miles  below  Tampico.  At  this  point,  many  of  them  assem- 
bled during  the  month  of  February,  and  as  the  season  was  advancing, 
though  many  very  necessary  supplies  had  not  yet  arrived,  the  commander- 
in-chief  decided  to  effect  an  immediate  landing. 

The  following  detailed  account  of  the  debarkation  of  the  army  of 
Major-general  Scott,  is  from  the  pen  of  William  G.  Temple,  Passed- 
midshipman  in  the  navy,  who,  in  view  of  the  nautical  interest  attached 
to  the  movement,  has  compiled  from  original  sources,  a  memoir  of  the 
operation,  addressed  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  and  placed  among  the 
files  of  his  department    The  substance  of  this  document  is  here  given.. 

"In  view  of  landing  the  army  at  some  point  near  Vera  Cruz,  surf- 
boats  suitable  for  that  service  were  contracted  for  in  the  different  porta  of 
the  United  States,  by  the  quarter-master's  department  of  the  army.  These 
boats  were  built  with  both  ends  alike,  so  as  to  steer  with  an  oar  at  each 
end,  and  to  stow  in  nests  of  three  each,  the  largest  one  measuring  forty 
feet  in  length.  One  hundred  and  forty-one  boats,  or  forty-seven  nests 
were  contracted  for  and  built;  out  of  this  number,  however,  only  sixty- 
five  had  reached  head-quarters  by  the  the  time  they  were  required  for  the 
landing  of  the  troops. 

"  The  army  sailed  from  the  rendezvous  at  Lobos  Island  on  the  6th  of 
March.    In  anticipation  of  the  arrival  of  the  transports  off  Vera  Cruz^. 


84 


K AVAL  HISTORY. 


[IB41. 


the  frigate  Potomac  and  the  sloops  of  war  Albany  and  John  Adams  were 
stationed  in  the  vicinity  of  Isla  Verde,  (some  five  miles  to  seaward  of  the 
city,)  with  orders  to  put  an  officer  on  board  each  vessel  as  she  arrived,  to 
pilot  her  into  the  anchorage  at  Anton  Lizardo;  or  should  the  number  of 
officers  prove  inadequate  to  this  duty,  to  furnish  the  masters  of  the  trans- 
ports with  such  saihng  directions  as  would  enable  them  to  pass  inside  of 
the  Blanquilla  Reefs  to  the  anchorage. 

"The  naval  squadron,  under  the  command  of  Commodore  Conner, 
and  the  transports  having  on  board  the  troops  and  their  eqmpmentB, 
under  the  command  of  Major-general  Scott,  were  thus  concentrated 
at  the  anchorage  between  the  island  of  Salmadina  and  Point  Anton 
Lizardo :  a  distance  of  some  ten  or  twelve  miles  to  the  eastward  of  Vera 
Cruz. 

"  As  fast  as  those  transports  having  on  board  any  of  the  surf-boats  ar- 
rived, the  boats  were  launched  under  the  direction  of  a  lieutenant  of  the 
squadron,  their  equipment  inspected,  and  every  thing  belonging  to  them 
fyiy  prepared  for  seryice ;  after  which  they  were  hauled  up  on  the  land- 
ward side  of  the  island,  and  arranged  and  numbered  by  divisions;  each 
division  consisting  of  ten  boats,  taken  from  all  the  different  sizes. 

"In  the  mean  time  a  speedy  debarkation  was  resolved  upon;  it  being 
important  that  a  landing  should  be  effected  before  'a  norther'  should 
come  on,  as  that  would  delay  the  operation  several  days.     Accordingly, 
the  General-in-chief  and  the  Commodore  of  the  squadron  made  a  joint 
reconnoissance  in  the  steamer  Petrita,  with  a  view  of  selecting  the  most 
advantageous  point  for  that  purpose.    The  choice  lay  principally  between 
Point  Anton  Lizardo,  opposite  which  the  squadron  and  transports  lay  an- 
chored, and  the  beach  directly  abreast  the  island  of  Sacrificios.    The  great  i 
objection  to  the  first  of  these  two,  was  the  distance  (about  fifteen  miles) 
that  the  troops  would  have  to  march  before  reaching  the  point  of  attack; 
while,  at  the  same  time,  the  road  led  through  deep,  loose  sand,  and  in- 
volved the  passage  of  one  or  two  considerable  streams.     As  to  the  mere 
landing,  however,  it  was  deemed  quite  as  good  as  that  near  Sacrificios. 
The  selection  of  this  last-named  point,  obviated  the  difficulty  ahead; 
mentioned,  being  within  two  and  a  half  miles  of  the  city  walls,  althougj 
it  had  its  own  disadvantages.    The  exceedingly  confined  space  afFordec 
here  for  a  secure  anchorage,  rendered  it  dangerous,  in  the  then  season  o 
'northers,'  to  bring  up  many  of  the  transports.    It  was  therefore  sug 
gested  to  transfer  till  the  troops  from  the  transports  to  the  men-of-war  a^ 
steamers,  and  after  their  debarkation,  to  order  up  from  Anton  Lizardo  sudi 
transports  with  provisions  and  stores,  as  might  firat  be  required;  which, 
in  turn,  might  make  room  for  others,  till  all  should  be  landed.* 

"  In  view  of  all  these  considerations,  the  beach  near  Sacrificios  was 
deemed  the  most  eligible  point,  and  the  debarkation  was  appointed  to  take 
place  on  the  8th  of  March.  General  orders  were  therefore  issued  on  the 
7th,  by  the  Commodore,  and  the  Commanding  General^  prescribing  the 
necessary  arrangements. 


*  Subsequent  to  the  landing,  however,  the  traniports  were  ordered  to  Sacrificios  in  too  grot 
nnmberi ;  and  a  gale  of  wind  coming  on  from  the  north,  about  forty  veiMls  were  blown  ap« 
the  beach. 


1847.] 


KAVAL  HISTORY. 


85 


''The  Burf-boats  were  apportioned  for  use  among  the  men-of-war  m 
follows: 

Frigate  Raritan, v'- V  ^v  '  .    .  16. 

Frigate  Potomac, . 20. 

Sloop  of  war  Albany, lo. 

Sloop  of  war  St  Maiys, lo. 

Steamer  Princeton, lo.  , :' 

"These  vessels  were  directed  to  fuiuish  to  each  boat,  so  apportioned  to 
them,  a  crew  of  seven  seamen,  and  a  junior  or  jpetty  oflScer  to  command 
it.  Each  division  of  ten  boats  was  commanded  by  a  lieutenant,  and  in 
some  instances,  was  divided  between  two  of  that  grade;  the  general  di- 
rection of  the  whole  remaining  always  with  the  senior.  Obtain  Forrest, 
commanding  the  frigate  Rantan,  was  ordered  to  superintend  the  whole 
operation. 

"  The  officers  detailed  for  this  duty  were  sent  on  shore  the  day  previous 
to  the  debarkation,  and  the  boats  allotted  to  their  respective  ships  pointed 
out  to  them  as  they  lay  ranged  and  numbered  on  the  beach,  so  as  to  avoid 
confusion  and  an  indiscriminate  seizure  of  the  boats,  when  they  should 
come  with  their  crews  at  daylight  to  launch  them.  The  boats'  anchors 
were  stowed  in  the  stems  of  the  boats  with  their  hawsers  coiled  clear  for 
running;  and  the  cockswains  were  instnicted,  in  case  the  landing  shonld 
be  effected  in  a  heavy  surf,  to  drop  the  anchor  from  the  stem  outside  the 
breakers,  and  to  pay  out  the  hawser  as  the  boat  went  in,  so  that  after 
the  troops  should  have  jumped  out  in  shoal  water,  the  boat  could  be 
warped  out  again  through  the  breakers,  without  having  received  any 
injury  from  thumping  on  the  beach.* 

**  The  troops  were  ordered  to  be  in  readiness  for  the  following  distri- 
bution among  the  different  men-of-war  and  steamers,  to  take  passage 
from  Anton  Lizardo  to  Sacrificioe. 

**  The  Ist  line  under  Brevet  Brigadier-general  Worth,  consisting  of  the 
1st  brigade  of  regulars  and  Captain  Swift's  company  of  sappers  and 
miners,  to  be  received  on  board  the  frigate  Raritan  and  the  steamers 
Princeton  and  Edith.  To  field  batteries  of  Captain  Taylor  and  Lieu- 
tenant Talcott  (also  attache  1  to  this  line  and  to  be  landed  with  them) 
to  be  towed  up,  in  their  respective  transports,  by  the  steamers  Massachu- 
setts and  Alabama. 

"The  2d  line,  under  Major-general  Patterson,  consisting  of  the  Ist 
brigade  of  volunteers  commanded  by  Brigadier-general  Pillow,  and  the 
South  Carolina  regiment  of  volunteers  f  (all  of  the  2d  brigade  that  had 
yet  arrived  out)  to  be  received  on  board  the  frigate  Potomac  and  the 
steamers  Alabama  and  Virginia.  The  reserve,  under  Brigadier-general 
Twiggs,  consisting  of  the  2d  brigade  of  regulars,  to  be  received  on  board 
the  sloops  of  war  Albany  and  St  Marys,  the  brig  Porpoise,  and  the 
steamers  Massachusetts,  Eudora  and  Petrita. 

*  This  precaution,  howerer,  proved  unnecessary  at  the  time  of  landing,  from  the  smooth 
state  of  the  water ;  but  at  a  later  period,  while  landing  heary  articles  in  a  surf,  it  was  resorted 
to  with  great  success. 

t  The  South  Carolina  regiment,  finding  themseWes  crowded  out  of  the  vessels  assigned  to 
tiieu-  transportation,  aslced  and  received  permission  firom  Captain  Sands  of  '.^e  steamer  Vixen, 
to  take  passage  in  bis  vesseL 


n 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847. 


**  Every  man  of  the  army  was  directed  to  take  in  his  haversack,  bread 
and  meat  (c(X)ked)  for  two  days ;  and  the  vessels  of  war  were  ordered  to 
supply  the  troops  with  water  and  provisions,  while  on  board. 

**  A  system  of  signals  had  been  arrang^  beforehand,  by  the  General- 
in-chief,  by  which  Uie  transports  were  to  indicate  the  number  of  boats 
required  by  each  one  to  take  from  them  the  troops  they  had  on  board. 
They  were  to  hoist  a  flag  at  the  fore  for  each  boat  required  to  receive  the 
first  line,  and  to  haul  them  down  as  the  boats  arrived  alongside;  in  like 
manner  at  the  main  for  the  second  line,  and  at  the  mizzen  for  the  reserve. 

"  All  the  preliminary  arrangements  were  thus  completed  on  the  evening 
of  the  7th,  but  the  next  morning  there  were  indications  of  a  ^' norther,^ 
and  the  movement  was  postponed.  At  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the 
0th,  the  officers  and  men  detailed  for  that  duty,  were  sent  from  the  men- 
of-war,  to  launch  and  man  the  surf-boats.  Those  divisions  of  boats 
manned  by  the  Raritan  and  Princeton  were  assigned  to  the  transfer  of 
the  first  line;  going  for  them  whenever  a  transport  had  flags  flying  at 
the  fore,  and  t^ing  them  to  the  vessels  of  war  and  steamers,  accordine 
to  the  herein  before  mentioned  distribution.  In  like  manner  those  divi- 
sions manned  by  the  Potomac  were  assigned  to  the  transfer  of  the  second 
line,  and  those  by  the  Albany  and  St  Marys  to  the  reserve. 

"Each  of  the  frigates  received  on  board  between  twenty-five  and 
twenty-eight  hundred  men,  with  their  arms  and  accoutrements ;  tfte  sloop 
received  about  nine  hundred  each,  and  the  smaller  vesseb  numbus  in 
proportion. 

"  When  all  were  transferred,  the  fifteen  boats  belonging  to  the  Raritan 
were  taken  to  the  steamer  Spitfire  to  be  towed  to  Sacrificios;  the  steamer 
Vixen  went  alongside  the  Potomac  and  took  in  tow  the  twenty  boats  bdong- 
ing  to  her;  the  Albany  sent  her  ten  to  the  steamer  Eudora,  the  St  Marys' 
-ten  were  sent  to  the  steamer  Petrita,  and  the  Princeton  took  in  tow  her 
own  ten.  At  the  same  time  the  vessels,  so  sending  them,  detailed  two 
lieutenants  and  two  midshipmen  to  remain  on  board  the  towing  steamerB, 
and  look  out  for  their  boats,  together  with  two  seamen  for  each  boat, 
who  were  to  remain  in  them,  and  steer  them  during  the  tow. 

"  This  part  of  the  movement  was  completed  very  successfully  about  10 
o'clock  A.  M. ;  and  a  few  moments  thereafter,  the  squadron  and-  such  of 
the  transports  as  had  been  selected  for  the  purpose,  got  under  way  for 
Sacrificios :  the  General-in-chief  on  board  the  steamer  Massachusetts,  and 
the  Commodore  of  the  squadron  in  the  frigate  Raritan. 

"  The  weather  was  very  fine,  with  a  fresh  yet  gentle  breeze  from  the 
south-east  and  a  perfectly  smooth  sea.  The  passage  to  Sacrificios  occupied 
between  two  and  three  hours.  Each  vessel  came  in  and  anchored  in 
the  small  space  previously  allotted  to  her,  without  the  slightest  disorder 
or  confusion,  the  anchorage  being  still  very  much  crowded  notwithstanding 
the  number  of  transports  that  had  been  left  behind. 

"  The  debarkation  commenced  on  the  instant.  Each  vessel  reclaiming 
her  surf-boats  from  the  steamer  that  had  towed  them  up,  sent  them  to 
receive  the  first  line.  The  Princeton  was  ordered  to  take  a  position 
abreast  the  landing-place,  and  as  near  the  shore  as  possible;  and  the 
surf-boats  were  directed,  after  receiving  their  quota  of  soldiers,  to  rendet 
vous  astern  of  her,  and  to  form  there  in  a  double  line-ahead,  according  to 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


87 


regimeotfl  and  companies,  and  in  proMriW  order  of  battle;  the  two  head 
boats  holdinap  on  to  each  quarter  of  tho  Princeton,  other  two  holding  on 
to  thenti,  and  so  on,  with  the  regimental  flag  flying  in  the  head  boat  of 
each  regiment 
*<In  the  mean  time,  while  this  work  of  transfer  and  arrangement  waa 

g)ing  on,  the  steamers  Spitfire  and  Vixen,  and  the  five  gunboats  Petrel, 
onita,  Reefer,  Falcon,  and  Tainpico  were  ordered  to  anchor  in  a  Une 
parallel  with  and  as  close  in  to  the  beach  as  they  could  get,  to  cover  the 
Unding  with  their  guns  if  necessary.  These  vessels  were  armed  chiefly 
with  32  pounder  shell  guns,  and  were  of  such  light  draught  (from  five 
to  eight  teet)  that  they  were  enabled  to  take  positions  within  good  grape 
range  of  the  shore. 

"  When  all  was  prepared,  the  boats  cast  off  from  the  Princeton,  and 
from  each  other,  s<|uared  away  in  line-abreast,  and  pulled  in  together  to 
the  beach,  where  the  troops  knded  without  the  slightest  opposition.  The 
boats  immediately  returned  to  the  vessels  for  the  second  hne  of  the  army, 
and  afterward  for  the  reserve;  and  without  waiting  to  form  again  in  order 
of  battle,  they  continued  to  pour  the  troops  upon  the  beach,  in  successive 
trips,  as  fast  as  they  could  come  and  go.  At  some  places  the  loaded 
boats  grounded  on  the  bar,  or  false  beach,  some  twenty  yards  from  dry 
land;  and  the  troops  had  to  wade  through  waist-deep  water  to  get  ashore. 
This  occurred  in  comparatively  few  instances,  however;  and  aside  from 
the  inoenvenience  of  these  few  wettings,  not  an  accident  of  any  kind 
occurred  throughout  the  whole  operations.  No  enemy  api)eared  to  dispute 
the  ground;  and  General  Worth  had  the  satisfaction  of  forming  his  com- 
mand upon  the  neighboring  sand-hills  just  before  sunset  The  landing 
commenced  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon,  and  before  10  o'clock  that 
night  upward  of  10,000  nun,  with  stores  and  provisions  for  several  days, 
were  sately  deposited  on  the  beach. 

"  The  steamer  New  Orleans  with  the  Louisiana  regiment  of  volunteers, 
800  strong,  arrived  at  Anton  Lizardo  just  as  the  squadron  had  been  put 
in  motion  tor  Sacrificios.  She  joined  them ;  and  her  troops,  together  with 
the  marines  of  the  squadron,  (who  formed  a  battalion,  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Edson  of  the  marine  corps,)  were  landed  with  the  others. 
Other  ti-oop  ships  came  in  subsequently ;  so  that  on  the  24th  of  March  the 
field  return  showed  a  total  of  12,603  men.  .    *    , 

'^In  the  mean  time,  also,  the  transports  were  ordered  up  suacessively 
from  Anton  Lizardo;  and  whenever  the  weather  would  permit,  the  surf- 
boats  (still  manned  and  officered  from  the  squadron)  were  constantly 
employed  in  landing  artillery,  horses,  provisions,  and  stores. 

"■  The  perfect  success  of  the  entire  operation  is  sufficiently  evident  from 
the  foregoing,  without  further  demonstration.  It  only  remains,  therefore, 
to  add  a  few  words  from  the  report  of  the  two  commanding  officers, 
expressive  of  their  gratification.  Commodore  Conner  says :  *  The  officers 
and  men  under  my  command  vied  with  each  other,  on  that  occasion,  in 
a  zealous  and  energetic  performance  of  their  duty.  I  cannot  but  express 
to  the  Department,  the  great  satisfaction  I  have  derived  from  witnessing 
their  efibrts  to  contribute  all  in  their  power  to  the  success  of  their  more 
fortunate  brethren  of  the  army.' 

'^  General  Scott  writes,  that  '  to  Commodore  Conner,  and  the  officen 


l.i 

I,!*      * 
I 

1  '      ' 

5  -. 

;'l    ■ 

h.' 
'> ' 
H ' 
'h 

H 


88 


WAVAL   HISTORY. 


[184^ 


and  Mulora  of  bin  command,  the  anny  is  indebteil  for  great  and  unceasing 
aMistance,  promptly  and  cheerfully  rendered.  Their  co-operation  in  th« 
conntant  theme  of  our  gratitude  and  admiration.' " 

Pending  the  bombardment  of  Vera  Cruz,  Commodore  Conner,  who 
had  now  been  in  command  of  the  Home  itquadron  more  than  three  yearn, 
and  «Tho«o  health  had  become  aeriouBly  impaired,  was  relieved,  on  the 
2l8t  of  March,  by  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry,  and  returned  home  in  the 
Princeton. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  the  investment  of  the  city  being  completed  and 
•ome  of  the  batteries  constructed,  the  Governor  was  called  upon  to  surren- 
der. This  being  declined,  in  the  afternoon  of  the  day  the  firing  commenced 
from  the  trenches  and  was  returned  both  from  the  city  and  the  castle. 
At  the  same  time  the  two  small  steamem,  the  Spitfire  and  Vixen,  and  the 
five  gun-boats,  led  by  Commander  J.  Tattnall,  took  a  position,  near  the 
shore,  whence  their  heavy  shot  could  reach  the  city.  This  position  wan 
gallantly  maintained  and  their  fire  kept  up  wiiii  rapidity  and  steadiness 
until  late  in  the  evening.  They  were  supplied  with  ammunition  during 
the  night,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  24tn  moved  to  a  still  nearer  and 
more  favorable  position,  whence  the  firing  was  resumed.  It  soon  became 
apparent,  however,  that  the  flotilla  was  m  a  position  inconsistent,  with  its 
safety,  and  it  was  consequently  recalled.  ^ 

It  being  the  earnest  desire  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  navy  to  take 
some  active  part  in  the  siege,  General  Scott  generously  assigned  them  a 
place  in  the  trenches.  Three  eight-inch  Paixhan  guns  and  three  long 
32  pounders  were  landed  from  the  squadron;  and  after  vast  labor  in 
dragging  them  through  the  sand,  in  which  duty  the  sailors  were  aided 
by  detachments  from  the  army,  they  were  mounted  in  batteir  under  the 
BU])erinteudence  of  Commander  A.  S.  Mackenzie.  This  battery  was 
served  by  different  detachments  from  the  several  vessels,  composed  of 
lieutenants  and  other  officers  with  an  adequate  number  of  seamen,  all 
under  the  command  of  a  captain.  Each  detachment  was  on  duty  twenty- 
four  hours.  The  battery  opened  its  fire  on  the  24th  under  charge  of 
Captain  J.  H.  Aulick  of  the  Potomac.  As  soon  as  discovered,  it  drew 
upon  itself  an  exceedingly  severe  fire  from  the  enemy's  guns,  which  was 
returned  deliberately  and  with  marked  effect  for  about  four  hours,  when 
the  supply  of  ammunition  failed.  The  loss  from  this  detachment  was 
five  seamen  killed  and  one  officer  and  four  men  wounded.  The  relief 
party  arrived  in  the  afternoon  under  the  command  of  Captain  Mayo  of 
the  Mississippi.  The  breastworks  having  been  much  shattered,  the  night 
was  spent  in  repairing  them.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  25th,  the  fire 
of  four  of  the  Mexican  batteries  was  concentrated  upon  this  work.  An 
active  cannonade  was  continued  in  return  until  half-past  two  p.  m.,  when 
the  enemy's  guns  were  silenced.  Two  other  batteries  then  turned  their 
fire  upon  the  naval  battery,  and  they  also  were  sooti  rendered  inefficient 
During  this  day  Midshipman  T.  B.  Shubrick,  while  pointing  a  gun,  was 
killed.  One  seaman  was  killed  and  three  were  slightly  wounded.  Captain 
Mayo  was  relieved  at  the  close  of  the  day  by  Captain  S.  L.  Breeee  of  the 
Albany.  The  cannonade  of  the  day  gave  employment  for  the  night  in 
restoring  the  dilapidated  defences.  In  the  morning  a  storm  so  filled  the 
air  with  dust  that  it  was  impossible  to  sight  the  guns,  and  soon  an  order 


1847.] 


KAVAL  HIBTORY. 


81^ 


'ommodore  Conner,  who 
on  more  than  three  yearn, 
red,  was  relieved,  on  the 
id  returned  home  in  the 


Arrived  from  the  Commander-in-chief  that  the  firing  need  not  be  reauined, 
an  negotiation*  for  a  surrender  were  in  progrowi.  During  the  mgo,  the 
naval  battery  threw  one  thousand  Paixhan  sheila  and  eight  hundred 
round  shot  into  the  enemy's  walls  and  forts. 

In  the  commission  for  the  settlement  of  the  terms  of  capitulation, 
Captain  Aulick  represented  the  navy ;  and,  on  the  29th  of  March,  the 
combined  forces  or  the  army  and  navy  took  possession  of  the  city  and 
castle,  while  the  American  flag  floated  over  both  amid  a  grand  salute  from 
the  squadron  and  the  batteries. 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  of  Vera  Cruz,  a  combined  movement 
was  made  for  the  capture  of  Alvarado,  which,  after  the  two  previously 
mentioned  failures,  was  in  this  instance  accomplished.  General  Quitman, 
with  his  brigade  of  volunteer  troops,  was  diroctod  to  proceed  by  land,  in 
order  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  Mexicans,  and  especially  to  gain  pos- 
session of  tlie  horses  and  mules  of  that  region,  upon  which  the  army  was 
depending  for  a  forward  movement.  Conuuodore  Perry  directed  Lieu- 
tenant Charles  0.  Hunter,  commanding  the  steamer  Scourge,  to  nroceo\i 
in  advance  with  that  vessel  and  blockade  the  harbor,  while  he  Limself 
followed  with  the  other  vessels  more  slowly,  so  as  to  co-operate  with 
General  Quitman  when  he  should  arrive  in  the  rear  of  the  town.  But 
Lieutenant  Hunter,  who  reached  the  bar  on  the  30th  of  March,  allowed 
himself  to  be  tempted  by  his  ^^al  into  an  immediate  attack  upon  the 
fortifications  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  instead  of  obeying  the  letter  of 
his  orders  and  simply  maintaining  a  blockade.  The  next  day,  after  a 
renewal  of  the  attack,  the  Mexicans  withdrew  from  the  batteries  and  from 
the  town,  when  Lieutenant  Hunter  entered  the  river,  captured  four  schoon- 
ers, left  a  garrison  to  guard  the  place,  and  proceeded  up  to  Tlacotalpam. 
This  town  surrendered  without  resistance.  Thus  was  the  apparent  object 
of  the  expedition  accomplished  before  the  main  force  arrived;  but  the 
important  purpose  of  drawing  supplies  for  the  army  from  this  quarter  was 
entirely  defeated,  as  the  Mexicans  escaped  with  tneir  animals  before  the 
land  force  could  hem  them  in.  Commodore  Perry  arrived  on  the  2d  of 
April,  but  his  too  active  subordinate  had  left  nothing  to  be  done  in  the 
way  of  conquest  Qui'^t  possession  was  taken  of  the  town,  and  of  such 
public  property  as  had  not  been  destroyed  when  the  enemy  evacuated 
the  place.  Sixty  cannon  were  found,  thirty-five  of  which  were  shipped 
and  the  remainder  destroyed.  Lieutenant  Hunter  was  immediately  placed 
under  arrest,  and  was  afterward,  by  the  sentence  of  a  courtrmartial,  dis- 
missed from  the  squadron  for  disobedience  of  orders. 

As  soon  as  Alvarado  was  reduced,  Commotlore  Perry  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  a  movement  against  Tuspan.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the 
brig-of-war  Truxton  was  lost  on  the  bar  while  engaged  in  an  attempt  to 
capture  this  place.  Some  of  her  guns  were  now  mounted  in  the  forts 
which  defended  the  town ;  and  it  was  rather  a  point  of  honor  with  the 
navy  to  retake  them.  This  expedition  received  no  aid  from  the  army. 
The  Raritan,  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  oflBcers  and 
men  from  the  Potomac,  the  Albany,  John  Adams,  Germantown,  and 
Decatur,  and  the  bomb-veesels  Vesuvius,  Etna,  and  Hecla,  were  ordered 
to  rendezvous  at  the  Island  of  Lobos.  Commodore  Perry  in  the  Mieaia- 
sippi,  accompanied  by  the  steamers  Spitfire,  Vixen,  and  Scourge,  and  the 


I 


;;-  ,;,- 


KAtAL  HISTOKT. 


1847.] 


J 


gun-boata  BoDita,  Petrel,  and  Reefer,  with  »  party  of  three  hundred  ofiScers 
and  men  from  the  Ohio,  sailed  from  Sacrificios  on  the  12th  of  April. 
Joining  the  vessels  at  Lobos,  he  arrived  off  the  bar  of  Tuspan  on  the  I7th, 
and  made  preparations  for  an  attack  the  next  day.  The  larger  ships 
being  anchored  outeide,  the  small  steamers,  the  gun-boats,  and  about  thirtv 
baiges  crossed  the  bar  without  accident  on  the  morning  of  the  18tH. 
The  whole'force  detached  from  the  ships — forming  the  landing  party  and 
carried  in  the  barges — amounted  to  1,490  officers,  seamen  and  marines, 
with  four  pieces  of  light  artilleir  tor  land  service.  The  whole  was  led  by 
Commodore  Peny  on  board  the  steamer  Spitfire.  The  approach  to  the 
town  was  defended  by  two  forts  on  the  right  and  one  on  the  left  bank  of 
the  river,  in  very  excellent  positions  to  sweep  any  force  coming  up  stream. 
General  Cos  of  the  Mexican  army  was  in  command  and  had  under  him 
a  force  of  650  troops.  When  the  flotilla  came  within  range  of  the 
enemy's  guns,  the  barges  sheered  off  to  land  the  detachment  which  was 
to  operate  on  shore,  under  command  of  Captain  S.  L.  Breese^  while  the 
steamers  and  gun-boats  moved  up  the  river.  The  Mexicans  made  but 
a  feeble  defence.  They  fired  from  the  forts  and  also  with  musketry  along 
the  borders  of  the  river.  But  as  the  American  force  came  up,  they  rap- 
idly fell  back,  deserting  the  batteries  before  the  land  party  could  get  near 
enough  to  storm  them.  The  attack,  therefore,  proved  entirely  8ucce^i<ful, 
and  the  capture  was  effected,  with  a  loss  to  the  Americans  of  only  tkree 
seamen  killed  and  five  officers  and  six  men  wounded.  The  gune  and  a 
quantity  of  ordnance  stores  belonging  to  the  Truxton  were  recovered. 

The  Albany  and  the  Reefer  were  left  to  watch  Tuspan.  The  Hecla 
was  sent  to  blockade  Soto  de  la  Marina,  the  Etna  to  Tobasco  river,  the 
Porpoise  and  the  Vesuvius  to  Laguna. 

The  plan  of  Commodore  Perry  was  to  occupy  every  point  on  the  coast 
at  which  supplie;  could  be  sent  into  Mexico,  and  thus,  by  diminishing 
her  capability  of  resistance,  to  aid  so  far  as  the  navy  could,  the  conquering 
progress  of  the  army.  In  accordance  with  this  plan,  a  large  part  of  the 
squadron  now  cruised  to  the  eastward  as  far  as  Yucatan,  to  complete  the 
work  of  bringing  under  American  authority  the  maritime  towns.  The 
policy  of  the  United  States  was  also  now  changed.  As  the  entire  coast 
was  in  our  possession,  and  its  towns  either  garrisoned  or  watched  by  a 
sufficient  force,  it  was  deemed  advisable  again  to  open  the  ports  to  the 
entrance  of  commerce,  and  to  direct  the  revenues  into  our  own  treasury. 
The  blockade  was  therefoia  raised ;  a  naval  force,  however,  was  still  neces- 
sary to  maintain  tho  new  revenue  system  which  was  imposed. 

During  his  cruise  to  the  eastward.  Commodore  Perry  touched  at  the 
Goazacoalcos  river,  where  he  found  a  fort  mounting  twelve  guns,  but 
deserted  by  its  garrison.  The  fort  was  blown  up  and  the  guns  destroyed. 
The  Stromboli,  bomb-vessel,  was  left  to  guard  this  point.  He  then  pro- 
ceeded to  Laguna,  in  Yucatan.  This  port  was  opened,  and  Commander 
Magruder  of  the  Vesuvius  was  appointed  governor.  The  flag-ship  Mis- 
sissippi then  returned  along  the  coast  and  met  the  main  squadron  off  the 
Tobasco.  The  port  at  the  mouth  of  this  river  was  also  declared  open, 
and  Commaniler  Van  Brunt  of  the  Etna  was  invested  with  authority  as 
civil  and  military  governor.  The  blockade  of  the  Goazacoalcos  was  also 
raised,  and  similar  authority  conferred  on  Commander  Walker  of  the 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


91 


Stromboli.  Commodore  Perry  also  ascended  the  latter  river  and  received 
the  formal  submission  of  several  interior  towns.  He  then  returned  to 
Vera  Cruz.  \*fm:^ 

Captain  Mayo,  who  had  been  appointed  the  governor  of  Alvaraido  and 
its  dependencies,  was  active  in  securing  the  submission  of  many  towns  in 
the  interior.  Most  of  them  voluntarily  acknowledged  his  authority  and 
came  peaceably  under  the  new  rule.  In  the  instance  of  one  mihtary  expe- 
dition for  the  purpose  of  reducing  a  refractory  town,  one  officer  and  five 
men  were  wounded  on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  Otherwise  the  exten- 
sion of  their  authority  over  a  considerable  region  was  unattended  with 
bloodshed. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Tobasco,  however,  matters  did  not  remain  in  so  good 
a  condition.  With  no  immediate  force  to  overawe  them,  the  Mexicans 
began  to  collect  in  considerable  numbers.  They  held  possession  of  the 
town,  and  constructed  fortifications  of  no  small  strength  at  commanding 
points  along  the  riyer.  These  indications  of  insubordination  and  hostility 
had  continued  till  it  became  no  longer  prudent  to  disregard  them.  Com- 
modore Perry,  therefor^,  planned  another  expedition  against  the  enemy 
in  this  quarter. 

He  arrived,  on  the  13th  of  June,  off  the  river,  with  the  Mississippi, 
Raritan,  Albany,  John  Adams,  Decatur,  Germantown,  Stromboli,  Vesu- 
vius, and  Washington,  and  the  steamers  Scorpion,  Spitfire,  Scourge,  and 
Vixen ;  the  Etna  and  Boaita  ^\(fg  already  within  the  bar  at  their  station. 
A  large  force  from  the  seyeral  ships  was,  as  usual,  organized  and  placed 
in  the  barges.     It  numb^jred  in  all,  officers  included,  1,173  strong,  with 
seven  pieces  of  artillery.     Commodore  Perry  transferred  his  pennant  to 
the  steamer  Scorpion,  which,  in  connection  with  the  other  steamers,  took 
the  gun-boats  and  barges  in  tow,  and  «ommenced  the  ascent  of  the  river 
on  the  14th.     No  appearance  of  an  enemy  occurred  until  the  following 
day,  when  about  twelve  miles  belov/  tne  town,  the  flotilla  was  fired  upon 
by  an  armed  force  concealed  in  the  chapparfil  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river. 
This  fire  was  soon  silenced  by  the  guns  and  musketry  of  the  vessels; 
and,  night  coming  on,  the  flotilla  lay  here  till  morning.     Some  distance 
farther  up,  artificial  obstructions  were  met  with  in  the  river,  and  opposite 
to  them  on  the  shore  was  a  well  constructed  breastwork,  from  which  a 
strong  body  of  Mexicans  commenced  a  fire.    Fearing  that  the  steamers 
might  sufter  an  inconvenient  delay  before  being  able  to  pass  the  obstruc- 
tions. Commodore  Perry  determined  to  land  at  this  point,  and  force  his 
way  through  to  the  city.     The  heavy  guns  of  the  flotilla  raked  the 
intrenchment  of  the  enemy,  and  the  landing  was  effected  near  it.    In  ten 
minutes  the  entire  detachment  was  formed  on  the  shore,  with  seven 
pieces  of  artillery,  which  were  taken  from  the  boats  and  dragged  up  a 
steep  bank  of  twenty  feet  height,  by  the  sheer  strength  of  the  men.    Three 
more  pieces  were  also  landed  from  the  bomb  vessels,  and  then  with  great 
enthusiasm  and  eagerness  the  column  moved  to  the  attack.    Their  progress 
was  slow  on  account  of  the  high  grass  and  thick  chapparel,  through  which 
they  were  obliged  to  march,  at  the  same  time  dragging  their  artillery 
with  them.    The  outposts  of  the  enemy  were  quickly  driven  in,  and  their 
breastwork  was  deserted  without  coming  to  close  quarters.    The  steamers 
also  had  now  passed  the  obstructions  and  were  able  U>  cooperate  with 


m 


.'  ■■ '  ^ 


Si 


% 


92 


ISTAVAL  mSTORY. 


[1847. 


-1 


i!?; 


i, 


the  land  party.  They  boldly  sailed  ou,  receiving  and  returning '1  .« 
from  the  enemy's  intrenchments,  as  they  passed  by.  About  a  ^ae 
farther  up  was  a  principal  work  of  the  Mexicans,  situated  on  a  command- 
ing point  and  defended  by  three  hundred  r^ular  and  as  many  irregular 
troops.  They,  however,  stood  fire  but  a  short  time,  when  they  fell  back 
upon  their  remaining  defences.  These  consisted  of  another  breastwork,  a 
mile  and  a  half  from  the  city — ^behind  this  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  a 
trench  across  the  road,  filled  with  trees,  their  branches  sharpened  and 
lapped — and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  still  nearer  the  city,  an  extensive  fortifi- 
cation commanding  the  river  and  the  road,  occupied  by  four  hundred 
artillery  and  infantry.  These  works  were  successively  carried  with  but  a 
feeble  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  enemy. 

During  this  march  of  nine  miles  the  heat  was  exceedingly  oppressive, 
and  several  men  sank  down  through  exhaustion,  especially  among  those 
who  were  attached  to  the  field-pieces.  The  other  casualties  were  the  • 
wounding  of  two  ofiScers  and  seven  seamen.  The  Mexicans  had  at  least 
fourteen  hundred  men  in  the  action,  of  whom  about  thirty  were  killed. 
Commodore  Perry's  command  entered  Tobasco  about  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  16th.  A  large  quantity  of  military  stores  was  destroyed, 
the  captured  cannon  were  removed  to  the  vessels,  the  powder  magazine 
was  blown  up,  and  the  entire  fortifications  in  and  near  the  city '  were 
demolished. 

As  the  enemy  still  hovered  around  ^lobasco,  it  was  necessary  to  leave 
a  strong  force  to  keep  them  in  check.  Accordingly  the  Scorpion,  Etna, 
Spitfire,  and  Scourge,  containing  four  hundred  and  twenty  officers  and 
men,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  fifteen  were  marines,  were  directed  to 
remain  oflT  the  city  under  the  orders  of  Commander  A.  Bigelow.  On  the 
night  of  the  2dth  of  June,  an  attack  was  made  by  one  hundred  and  fifty 
Mexicans  on  the  guard  stationed  iu  the  main  square  of  the  town ;  they 
were  repulsed,  and  without  loss  to  the  Americans.  On  the  same  day  a 
party  of  twenty  seamen,  while  on  shore,  were  attacked  by  seventy  Mexi- 
cans, and  one  of  the  former  was  wounded,  the  enemy  losing  one  killed 
and  six  wounded.  Small  parties  of  the  enemy  occupied  the  outskirts  of 
the  town,  and  it  was  therefore  necessary  that  the  detachments  on  shore 
should  be  continually  on  the  alert.  Lieutenant-commandant  Porter  was 
also  directed  to  bum  the  ranchos  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  town,  in 
which  the  Mexican  troops  sheltered  themselves.  These  were  destroyed, 
to  the  number  of  two  huLdred.  At  a  village  called  Tamultay,  about 
three  miles  distant,  some  five  hundred  Mexicans  were  collected,  and 
from  tliis  point,  as  head-quarters,  these  annoying  attacks  were  kept  up. 
Commandor  Bigelow  determined  to  dislodge  liiem  from  this  position, 
and  so,  if  possible,  disperse  them.  Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  the 
30th  of  June,  he  marched  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  and  forty  men,  with 
two  field-pieces,  in  the  direction  of  the  village.  When  still  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  from  it,  his  command  was  assailed  by  a  fire  of  musketry  from  both 
sides  of  the  road,  where  the  Mexicans  had  posted  themselves  in  ambush. 
The  column  remained  firm  and  promptly  returned  the  fire.  The  Mexi- 
cans still  held  their  ground  until  the  artillery  was  brought  into  action, 
when,  after  a  few  discharges,  they  broke  and  fled  in  confusion.  The 
pursuit  proved  inefifectual,  as  the  enemy  were  too  well  acquainted  with 


1847.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


the  avonues  of  escape  to  be  overtaken.  The  Americans  lost  two  men 
killed  and  five  wounded ;  the  loss  on  the  other  side  could  not  be  ascer* 
tained.  Two  steamers,  which  started  up  the  river  with  the  purpose  of 
bo-operating  in  the  attack  on  the  village,  in  consequence  of  grounding, 
through  ignorance  of  the  channel,  did  not  reach  their  point  of  destination 
until  the  battle  had  been  decided.  .  'v'    f' 

This  action  brought  hostilities  to  a  close  in  this  quarter,  and  shortly 
after,  the  vessels  were  withdrawn  and  resumed  their  stations  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river  and  at  other  points  along  the  coast  Guerilla  parties  still 
distiirbed  the  inhabitants  in  the  vicinity  of  Alvarado  and  Frontera,  but  no 
serious  encounters  occurred. 

The  squadron  by  this  time  had  been  greatly  reduced,  it  being  no  longer 
necessary  to  maintain  on  the  coast  service,  so  large  a  force  as  had  been 
assembled  previous  to  the  capture  of  Vera  Cruz.  The  Ohio,  the  several 
frigates,  the  brigs,  and  a  part  of  the  sloops,  had  been  detached  from  the 
squadron.  In  August  the  vessels  remaining  under  the  orders  of  Commo- 
dore Perry,  were  the  Mississippi,  Germantown,  Decatur,  Saratoga,  John 
Adams,  five  small  steamers,  four  gun-boats,  and  four  bomb-vessefi. 

In  relating  the  services  of  the  navy  during  the  Mexican  war,  it  should 
also  be  mentioned  that  a  detachment  of  the  marines  of  the  squadron, 
under  the  orders  of  Lieutenant-colonel  Watson  of  that  corps,  served  with 
the  army  of  General  Scott    It  joined  the  main  army  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  city  of  Mexico,  and  in  time  to  take  part  in  those  celebrated  actions 
which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  the  national  capital.    It  was  attached  to 
the  division  of  Major-general  Quitman,  and  was. first  brought  into  battle 
on  the  13th  of  September,  on  the  occasion  of  the  storming  of  the  strong 
fortress  of  Chapultepec  and  of  the  fortifications  which  covered  the  Belen 
gate  of  the  city.    At  the  base  of  the  hill  on  which  Chapultepec  is  situated, 
and  on  the  left  flank,  were  two  batteries  of  considerable  streng-th,  protected 
also  by  some  solid  buildings  and  a  wall  fifteen  feet  high.    It  was  at  this 
point  that  General  Quitman's  division  was  to  advance  to  the  attack  upon 
the  Castle.     The  storming  party  was  selected  from  the  different  volunteer 
corps  of  the  division,  including  therefore  a  part  of  the  marine  corps,  and 
was  placed  under  the  command  of  Major  Levi  Twiggs  of  the  marines. 
A  pioneer  storming  party  of  select  men,  with  ladders,  pickaxes  and  crow- 
bars, was  led  by  Captain.  Reynolds,  also  of  the  marines.    Associated  with 
these,  was  also  a  storming  party  of  regulars,  detailed  from  General  Twiggs' 
division,  and  under  its  own  officers. 

A  heavy  and  prolonged  cannonade  had  been  maintained  from  various 
points  upon  the  Castle  and  its  outworks,  in  order  to  open  the  way  for  the 
contemplated  assault  On  the  morning  of  the  13th,  the  concerted  attack 
commenced  with  the  different  divisions  of  the  army  under  the  immediate 
directions  of  the  Commander-in-chief.  General  Quitman's  command 
advanced  over  difficult  ground  and  with  slight  protection,  under  a  heavy 
fire  from  the  fortress,  the  batteries  and  the  breastworks  of  the  enemy,  the 
stonping  parties  leading  the  column.  The  battalion  of  marines  was  also 
posted  in  a  prominent  position,  whei«  it  could  support  the  storming  par- 
ties. The  severe  fire  of  the  enemy  soon  revealed  its  effects  upon  the 
advancing  column.  The  brave  and  lamented  Major  Twiggs  was  killed 
on  the  first  advance,  at  the  head  of  his  command.    But  there  was  no 


94 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1847 


halting.  The  stormmg  party  rushed  on  to  its  desperate  duty  with  resist*  : 
less  force,  and  entered  the  Mexican  works.  It  was  closely  and  ably 
supported.  The  Mexicans  stood  their  ground  with  unusual  resolution 
and  courage.  The  contest  was  now  hand  to  hand  —  swords  and  bayoneto 
were  crosi^  and  rifles  were  clubbed.  But  the  valor  and  enthusiasm  of ' 
the  Americans  still  triumphed.  These  outworks  were  carried  and  the 
way  t6  the  fortress  from  this  direction  was  opened.  The  troops  did  not 
pause  on  this  threshold  of  their  conquest,  but  pressed  on  and  fought  their 
way  into  Chapultepec  by  the  side  of  theur  brethren,  who  had  been  equally 
successful  at  the  other  points  of  attack. 

The  marines  still  accompanied  their  division  in  its  progress  along  the 
causeway  toward  the  Belen  gate,  and  participated  in  the  long  and  bloody 
battle  by  which,  finally,  this  avenue  to  the  city  was  opened.  On  the 
morning  of  the  14th,  the  division  of  General  Quitman  entered  the  city, 
and  was  the  first  portion  of  the  army  which  marched  into  the  Orand 
Plaza.  The  palace,  now  deserted  by  the  Mexican  authorities,  was  overrun 
with  the  desperate  characters  of  the  population,  bent  on  plunder.  Lieu- 
tenantKX>lonel  Watson,  with  his  battalion  of  marines,  was  ordered  to  clear  it 
of  these  intruders  and  protect  it  from  spoliation ;  which  duty  he  promptly 
and  successfully  performed.  This  corps  lost  in  the  actions  detailed  abom 
Major  Twiggs  and  six  men  killed,  two  lieutenants  and  two  eergeanta 
wounded. 

Lieutenant  Semmes  of  the  navy,  who  served  as  a  volunteer  aid  m 
General  Worth's  stail^  and  Passed  Midshipman  Rogers  who  was  employed 
in  the  same  capacity  in  -General  Pillow's  stail^  received  high  commenda- 
tions from  their  chie&  for  thor  conduct  in  the  several  batUes  arcund  the 
city  of  Mexico.  ,/  ..   ;  i  ,  *  ^  ix;.,:.. . 

The  conclusion  of  the  war  released  the  naval  force  from  its  monotonous 
duty  of  guarding  the  coast,  and  protecting  the  revenue  interests.  Since 
this  epoch,  now  memorable  in  the  annals  of  the  country,  the  navy  has 
been  employed  in  no  hostile  operations,  its  power  being  occupied  simply 
in  the  appropriate  duties  of  a  state  of  peace. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


s 


Ueutenant  lunch's  e3q>ed{tion  to  the  Dead  Sea  in  1848— Danger ona  navigation  of  the  Biver 
Jordan  —  Scientific  results  of  the  expedition  —  The  Orinnall  expedition  in  search  of  Sir 
John  Franklin  —  Dangers  of  the  ice  —  Severe  cold  and  darkness  —  No  tidings  of  the  lost 
Mariners  —  Expeditions  to  Japan,  China,  River  La  Plata,  and  western  coast  of  Africa  —  Con- 
dition and  resource*  of  the  Navy  in  1853. 

Though  the  navy  is  strictly  a  military  organization,  and  its  martial 
achievements  constitute  its  essential  ren .-  n,  yet  its  incidental  services  to 
science,  or  to  any  of  the  arts  that  facilitate  human  intercourse  and  promote 
human  improvement,  are  without  doubt  worthy  to  be  chronicled  in  its 
history.    In  accordance  with  this  idea  of  the  historian's  duty,  a  brief 


1848.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


n 


account  must  be  eiven  of  an  expedition  to  explore  the  course  of  the  river 
Jordan,  and  the  shores  of  the  Dead  Sea, -which  was  planned  and  executed 
by  William  F.  Lynch,  lieutenant  in  the  navy  of  the  United  States. 

An  application  for  this  purpose  vtras  made  by  Lieutenant  Lynch  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year  1847,  to  the  proper  authorities  at  Washington. 
The  privilege  was  granted  in  July,  and  he  was  directed  to  make  his  pre- 
parations at  the  expense  of  the  Department.  In  October  he  was  appointed 
to  the  command  of  the  store-ship  Supply,  destined  to  the  Mediterranean 
with  naval  stores  for  the  squadron.  Every  thing  necessary  for  so  unusual 
an  enterprise  was  carefully  selected  and  placed  on  board  of  the  Supply, 
which  suled  from  New  York  on  the  26^  of  November.  In  February, 
1848,  she  reached  Smyrna,  where  Lieutenant  Lynch  left  the  ship  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Constantinople,  to  obtain  from  the  Sublime  Porte  the  requisite 
authority  to  cross  through  Palestine  with  his  party.  This  obtained,  with 
orders  to  the  governors  of  the  region  to  afibrd  him  aid  and  protection,  he 
retiuned  to  his  ship,  and  on  the  31st  of  March,  was  landed  with  his  boats 
and  party  on  the  beach  at  Haifa,  in  the  bay  of  Acre,  on  the  coast  of  Syria. 

The  boats  provided  for  the  expedition  were  constructed  on  the  principle 
of  the  life-boats  of  Mr.  Francis,  one  being  made  of  copper  and  the  other 
of  galvanized  iron.  They  were  fitted  on  trucks,  and  were  drawn  by 
camels  across  the  country  from  Acre  to  Tiberias,  on  the  western  shore  of 
the  sea  of  Oalilee.  The  party  consisted  of  Lieutenant  Lynch,  Lieutenant 
Dale,  Passed  Midshipman  Aidick'—  Mr.  Bedlow  and  Mr.  Anderson,  volun- 
teers—  and  eleven  petty  officers  and  seamen.  They  carried  with  them  a 
large  blunderbuss,  and  each  officer  and  seaman  was  fully  provided  with 
small-arms.  Supplies  for  the  party  were  transported  on  camels,  and  a 
guard  of  mounted  Arabs  was  also  engaged.  Thus  the  entire  caravan 
consisted  of  twenty-three  camels,  about  eighteen  horses  and  some  thirty 
men,  and,  as  it  wound  through  the  secluded  villages  of  Palestine,  presented 
a  novel  and  picturesque  appearance. 

At  Tiberias,  Lieutenant  Lynch  obtained  a  wooden  boat,  in  which  he 
embarked  a  part  of  his  stores;  but  this  was  soon  so  much  damaged  in 
the  difficult  navigation  of  the  Jordan,  that  it  became  entirely  unservice- 
able. On  the  10th  of  April,  they  left  Tiberias  and  stretched  down  the 
lake.  Besides  the  party  in  the  boats,  there  was  a  party  composed  princi- 
pally of  Arabs,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Dale,  which  kept  com- 
pany on  the  western  shore  of  the  river,  in  order  to  be  at  hand  in  assisting 
their  companions  in  any  emergency.  Lieutenant  Lynch  occupied  eight 
days  in  sailing  from  the  lake  to  the  Dead  Sea.  So  sinuous  is  the  course 
of  the  river,  that  it  passes  over  about  two  hundred  miles  in  accomplishing  a 
direct  distance  of  sixty.  The  navigation  was  found  to  be  of  the  most  exciting 
and  hazardous  character.  No  boats  could  have  passed  through  the  severe 
ordeal  but  the  metallic  ones  so  wisely  provided.  These,  manned  by  their 
intrepid  crews  and  guided  by  their  skillful  officers,  shot  down  frightful 
cascades  and  plunged  into  boiling  torrents,  and  though  receiving  some 
hard  blows  by  coming  in  contact  with  the  sunken  rocks,  they  carried 
the  adventurous  navigators  unharmed  through  every  danger.  At  times 
it  was  necessary  for  the  men  to  spring  out,  and,  holding  the  boats  by  their 
sides  to  guide  them  by  main  strength  down  the  rapid  current 

Indeed  the  labors  and  exposures  incident  to  such  a  voyage  were 


i 


96 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1848. 


u 


«    la 


exceesive,  and  cannot  be  detailed  in  this  short  account  The  party  was  also 
fortunate  in  escaping  any  attacks  from  wandering  Arabs,  which  from 
all  representations  they  had  been  led  to  expect.  The  officers  were  respec- 
tively occupied  in  making  observations  relating  to  the  topography,  and 
the  geological  and  botaniod  characteristics  of  the  country  through  which 
they  passed. 

On  the  18th  of  April,  they  entered  the  dreary  and  mysterious  waste 
of  waters  so  appropriately  called  the  Dead  Sea.  Their  first  encampment 
was  at  Feshkan,  on  the  western  shore  of  the  sea,  about  five  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  the  Jordan,  where  the  land-party  joined  them,  as  they  had 
previously  done  whenever  it  was  practicable  to  meet  It  was  with  great 
difiicnlty  that  the  navigators  reached  this  point,  for  they  encountered  a 
gale  very  soon  after  entering  the  sea,  which,  acting  upon  the  ponderous 
water,  made  it  almost  impossible  to  work  the  boats  toward  the  shore, 
and  night  settled  down  upon  them  in  these  gloomy  circumstances.  '  After 
severe  toil  they  were  able  to  reach  their  companions  on  shore.  Amid 
the  impressive  and  sublime  scenery  of  this  sea.  Lieutenant  Lynch  and  his 
party  spent  several  weeks.  They  established  a  permanent  encampment, 
and  from  this  center  made  constant  and  extensive  tours  of  exploration. 
Various  lines  of  soundings  were  run,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the 
depth  of  the  water  in  difierent  parts  of  the  sea,  and  quite  a  careful  obsem- 
tion  was  made  of  all  the  shores,  particularly  the  western  and  southern. 
This  expedition  has  certainly  the  honor  of  determining  the  course  and 
characteristics  of  the  Jordan,  in  modem  times  very  imperfectly  known, 
and  of  throwing  much  light  upon  the  geography  and  physical  peculiari- 
ties of  the  Dead  Sea.  It  was  well  planned  and  equipped,  and  possessed 
that  combination  of  means  for  the  want  of  which  most  individual  travel- 
ers in  the  same  region  had  been  hitherto  unsuccessful,  and  some  of  them 
very  unfortunate. 

Much  enthusiasm  and  energy  were  displayed  by  all  concerned  in  this 
expedition,  and  though  in  some  instances  sufiering  occurred  amid  the 
contingencies  of  so  strange  and  unknown  a  region,  yet  so  admirably  was 
every  possible  precaution  taken  and  every  arrangement  carried  ou^  that 
all  the  anticipated  results  were  accomplished  without  serious  accident  to 
any  of  the  number.  Having  finished  the  explorations,  the  boats  were 
taken  to  pieces  and  placed  upon  the  backs  of  camels,  the  encampment  was 
broken  up,  and  the  party,  gladly  bidding  farewell  to  the  solemn  and  deso- 
late scene,  on  the  10th  of  May  commenced  their  journey  to  the  Mediter- 
ranean by  way  of  Jerusalem.  A  part,  however,  were  detailed  for  the 
performance  of  a  still  remaining  duty — ^the  acciu-ate  determination  of  the 
actual  depression  of  the  Dead  Sea  beneath  the  level  of  the  Mediterranean. 
The  result  arrived  at  by  Lieutenant  Symonds — an  English  officer,  who 
had  by  a  course  of  trigonometrical  calculation  determined  the  depression 
to  be  thirteen  hundred  and  twelve  feet — had  excited  surprise  among 
scientific  men.  It  was  a  matter  of  interest,  therefore,  to  test  this  conclu- 
sion. A  series  of  levels  was,  consequently,  carried  across  the  country  by 
this  detachment  from  Lieut  Lynch  s  party,  which  occupied  twenty-three 
days  in  the  slow  and  laborious  process.  The  result,  however,  was  gratifying. 
The  difference  between  the  level  of  the  Dead  Sea  and  that  of  the  Mediter- 
ranean was  found  to  be  almost  precisely  what  Lieut.  Symonds  had  stated. 


1850.] 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


ft 


For  a  ftill  acoonnt  of  this  entire  expedition,  the  reader  is  referred  to 
Lieutenant  Ljnch's  published  volume. 

In  the  history  of  our  navy,  may  also  Mfith  propriety  be  mentioned  the 
creditable  though  unsuccessml  expedition  to  the  Polar  Seas,  during  the 
years  1860-61,  in  search  of  the  lon^  absent  party  of  Sir  John  Franklin. 
This  was  an  individual  and  not  a  national  enterprise.    The  means  for  its 

Erosecution  were  furnished  by  Mr.  Henry  Grinnell,  a  wealthy  and  phi- 
inthropic  merchant  of  New  York  city.  The  vessels  furnished  were  two 
small  brigs,  the  Advance  of  140  tons,  and  the  Rescue  of  90  tons.  They 
were  merchantmen,  but  were  strengthened  for  this  service.  By  a  special 
act  of  Congress,  they  were  placed  under  the  direction  of  the  Navy  Board, 
and  were  subjected  consequently  to  the  usual  regulations  and  discipline  of 
the  service.  The  officer  selected  for  the  command  was  Lieutenant  E.  H. 
De  Haven,  who  had  been  attached  to  the  Exploring  Expedition  under 
Commander  Wilkes.     The  selection  proved  a  very  judicious  one. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  1850,  the  expedition  sailed  from  New  York,  and 
without  any  particular  adventures,  began  to  meet  masses  of  ice  in  Mel- 
ville Bay  about  midsummer.  The  Rescue  was  here  thrown  into  a  very 
perilous  situation.  A  mass  of  ice  slid  under  her,  and  lifting  her  bodily 
from  the  water,  careened  her  over  nearly  on  her  beam-ends,  in  which 
position  she  remained  some  sixty  hours  before  they  were  able  to  right  her 
again.  Their  progress  was  now  continued  only  by  boldly  pushing  through 
the  icebergs  and  floes,  until,  finally,  they  emerged  into  the  open  waters  of 
Lancaster  Sound.  Here,  overtaken  by  a  very  severe  gale,  the  vessels 
were  separated,  but  were  happy  in  meeting  again  a  few  days  after.  Thus, 
until  the  month  of  September,  they  continued  their  perilous  course  to  the 
westward,  when  they  reached  96°  west  longitude.  As  winter  was  now 
approaching,  and  the  ice  barrier  beyond  was  entirely  impenetrable,  the 
vessels  were  turned  to  the  eastward  to  find  more  genial  quarters  during 
the  long  polar  night  The  hopes  of  the  navigators  in  this  respect  were, 
however,  disappomted,  for  they  soon  became  firmly  locked  between  large 
masses  of  floating  ice,  and  were  carried  by  an  irresistible  tide  to  the  north- 
ward, up  Wellington  Channel.  Winter  in  all  its  rigor  now  came  on. 
The  sun  no  longer  showed  his  disk  above  the  horizon  and  the  thermome- 
ter indicated  40°  below  zero.  The  Rescue  was  now  deserted,  and  both 
crews  took  up  their  abode  on  board  the  Advance,  which  was  made  quite 
comfortable  with  the  means  which  had  been  lavishly  provided.  The 
mental  and  physical  energy  of  the  men  was  maintained  by  daily  and 
vigorous  exercise  in  the  open  air,  and  by  pleasing  entertainments  on  board 
the  vessel.  For  eleven  weeks  the  sun  was  invisible.  Yet  the  aspect  of 
nature  was  not  wholly  gloomy — they  were  delighted  and  cheered  by  fre- 
quent views  of  the  splendors  of  the  polar  sky. 

After  having  drifted  some  distance  up  Wellington  channel,  they  found 
that  the  tide  had  changed,  and  that  they  were  floating  back  again  under 
the  influence  of  the  same  mighty  force  which  had  borne  them  onward. 
They  thus  passed  out  of  Wellington  Channel,  through  Barrow's  Straits  and 
into  Lancaster  Sound.  It  should  be  borne  in  mind,  also,  ttat  during  all 
this  time  the  ice  was  constantly  shifting  and  threatening  the  vessels  mo- 
mentarily with  destruction.  Constantly  anxious  and  vigilant,  the  exposed 
navigators  were  ready  at  any  moment  to  leave  their  ships,  for  it  seemed 


98 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


1850. 


impoflsible  that  they  could  sustain  such  an  enonnous  prassure.  At  one 
time  they  stood  upon  the  ice,  with  their  sleds  loaded  with  provisions,  and 
waiting  for  the  final  crash  whi^h  would  demolish  their  home  and  leave 
them  on  the  treacherous  ice-fields  ninety  miles  from  hind.  After  Decem- 
ber, however,  the  ice  became  solid,  and  they  were  rehoved  from  this  souroe 
of  danger.  Thus  through  the  entire  winter  they  floated  along  the  south- 
em  shore  of  Baffin's  Bay  and  Davis'  Straits,  until  the  6th  of  June,  when 
with  fearful  suddenness  the  ice  broke  up  into  floating  pieces,  extending 
as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  They  fiutdly  emerged  mto  a  clear  sei^ 
having  reached  the  entrance  of  Davis'  Straits  and  passed  to  the  south  of 
the  Arctic  circle.  They  had  thus  drifted  helplessly  in  the  firm  embrace 
of  the  ice,  from  the  last  of  September  till  the  first  of  June. 

Nothing  dauntod,  they  again  turned  toward  the  north,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  prosecuting  their  search  through  another  summer.  But  in  the 
route  which  they  took,  the  impediments  wera  so  serious  and  dangerous 
that  the  attempt  at  farther  explorations  was  abandoned.  The  Advance 
arrived  at  New  York  on  the  30th  of  September,  and  the  Rescue  came  in 
shortly  after,  when  the  vessels  were  resigned  by  the  Navy  Department 
into  the  hands  of  their  owner. 

This  expedition  failed,  as  have  all  those  fitted  out  from  England  also, 
in  the  attainment  of  its  main  object  The  only  traces  of  the  party  of^  Sir 
John  Franklin,  which  were  found,  were  discovered  on  the  27th  of  August, 
1850,  by  the  united  English  and  American  expeditions  at  Beechy  Cape^ 
on  the  east  side  of  the  entrance  to  Wellington  Channel  These  traces 
consisted  of  several  articles  which  could  be  identified  as  belonging  to 
Franklin's  ships,  and  also  of  three  graves,  with  head -boards  bearing  the 
names  of  those  interred,  who  were  sailors  attached  to  the  absent  expedi- 
tion. The  last  date  thus  inscribed  was  April  3d,  1846.  The  movements 
and  the  fate  of  Franklin  beyond  this  point  and  this  period  are  entirely 
unknown.  Though  disappointed  in  solving  the  painful  mystery  which 
still  hangs  over  the  condition  or  the  end  of  the  bold  English  explorer, 
those  concerned  in  the  American  attempt  to  throw  light  upon  the  interest- 
ing question  have  the  satisfaction  of  feeling,  that  they  nave  made  a  generous 
effort  in  behalf  of  a  stranger  and  a  foreigner. 

At  the  present  time,  1853,  the  resources  of  the  Navy  are  du^cted  in 
quite  an  unusual  degree  to  projects  which  contemplate  the  safety  and  the 
extension  of  American  commerce  and  the  maintenance  of  the  rights  of 
humanity.  The  meet  prominent  of  these  projects  is  that  which  has  in 
view  the  establishment  of  commercial  relations  with  the  empire  of  Japan. 
The  government  of  that  large  nation  has  for  a  long  period  denied  to  other 
nations,  with  a  most  insignificant  exception,  all  access  into  its  ports  or 
territory;  has  refused  hospitality  and  succor  to  unfortunate  mariners,  and 
has  treated  with  great  cruelty  such  citizens  of  the  United  States,  as  well 
as  those  of  other  countries,  as  have  been  cast  by  shipwreck  upon  the  well- 
guarded  shores.  It  has  been  therefore  deemed  obligatory  by  the  govern- 
ment of  the  United  States,  to  make  an  attempt  to  obtain  from  this  jealous 
and  secluded  people,  a  recognition  and  obser\'ance  of  the  rights  of  human- 
ity, and  also  to  induce  them,  if  possible,  to  abandon  their  present  absurd 
commercial  policy.  The  extension  of  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
along  the  shore  of  the  Pacific,  and  the  presence  of  a  large  whaling  fleet 


t; 


1850. 

preBRure.  At  one 
nth  provisionB,  and 
sir  home  and  leave 
nd.  After  Decem- 
kred  from  this  source 
ed  along  the  south- 
)  6th  of  June,  when 
ng  pieces,  extending 
ed  mto  a  clear  sea. 
iflsed  to  the  south  of 
in  the  firm  embrace 
fune. 

lorth,  with  the  inten- 
immer.  But  in  the 
pious  and  dangerous 
)ned.  The  Advance 
I  the  Rescue  came  in 
le  Navy  Department 

it  from  England  also, 
Bs  of  the  party  of^  Sir 
I  the  2'7th  of  August, 
ions  at  Beechy  Cape, 
lanneL    These  traces 
ified  as  belonging  to 
ftd-boards  bearing  the 
to  the  absent  expedi- 
46.    The  movements 
Lis  period  are  entirely 
»ainful  mystery  which 
)old  English  explorer, 
ght  upon  the  interest- 
lave  made  a  generous 

Navy  are  directed  in 
ate  the  safety  and  the 
ance  of  the  rights  of 

is  that  which  has  in 

the  empire  of  Japan, 
period  denied  to  other 
ccess  into  its  ports  or 
brtunate  mariners,  and 

United  States,  as  well 
ipwreck  upon  the  well- 
igatory  by  the  govem- 
)btainfrom  this  jealous 
)f  the  rights  of  human- 

n  their  present  absurd 
of  the  United  States 
a  large  whaling  fleet 


1859J 


KAVAL  BISTORT. 


99 


in  the  ^eas  which  surround  Japan,  make  these  objects  highly  important 
A  squadron  of  unusual  size  has  consequently  been  placed  under  the  orders 
of  Commodore  Matthew  C.  Perry,  the  Commander-in-chief  on  the  East 
India  station.  It  consists  of  the  steam  frigate  Mississippi  10,  flag-ship; 
steam  frigate  Susquehanna  9 ;  steam  frigate  Powhatan  0 ;  8loopM>f-war 
Macedonian  20,  Plymouth  20,  Saratoga  20,  Yandalia  20 ;  and  store^hip 
Supply  4.* 

An  expedition  is  also  under  orders  to  sail,  for  the  purpose  of  thoroughly 
exploring  and  8urv«>ying  the  China  seas,  the  North  Pacific,  and  Behrmgs 
Straits.  This  expedition  will  probably  be  absent  three  years  or  upwara. 
It  is  under  the  command  of  Commander  Cadwallader  Ringgold,  an  officer 
who  has  acquired  a  high  reputation  in  connection  with  the  former  Explor- 
ing Expedition  under  Commander  Charles  Wilkes.  It  consists  of  the 
sloop-of-war  Vincennes  20;  brig  Porpoise  10;  both  of  which  vessels  were 
engaged  in  the  first  Exploring  Expedition ;  the  steamer  John  Hancock 
3;. and  schooner  Fenimore  Cooper  3,  a  pilot-boat,  purchased  for  this 
particular  service. 

An  expedition  for  the  exploration  and  survey  of  the  River  La  Plata, 
and  its  tributaries,  which  have  lately  been  opened  to  foreign  commerce, 
has  also  been  undertaken.  For  this  purpose  the  steamer  Water  Witch 
2,  has  been  placed  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Thomas  J.  Page. 

Commander  William  F.  Lynch,  who  conducted  the  expedition  to  the 
Jordan  and  the  Dead  Sea,  is  aJso  under  orders  to  make  preparatory  explo- 
rations on  the  western  coast  of  Africa,  in  view  of  an  expedition  designed 
to  penetrate  into  the  imknown  regions  lying  to  the  eastward  of  Li^ria. 
The  small  steamer  Vixen  3,  has  been  ordered  to  join  the  African  squadron, 
in  order  to  facilitate  the  operations  of  Commander  Lynch. 

The  condition  of  the  Navy  at  the  present  time  in  respect  to  vessels  and 
officers,  is  as  follows : 

Eleven  ships-of-the-line,  one  of  120  guns,  and  the  remainder  of  74 
guns  each.  Of  these,  four  are  on  the  stocks,  four  are  in  ordinary,  and 
three  are  in  commission  as  receiving-ships. 

One  razee  of  64  guns.  Twelve  frigates  of  the  first  class,  rating  44  guns 
each.    One  frigate  rating  36  guns. 

Sixteen  sloops-of-war,  20  guns  each,  one  of  18  guns,  and  four  of  16 
guns  each. 

Four  brigs,  of  10  guns  each.  Four  schooners  mounting  in  all  seven 
guns. 

Five  steam  frigates,  one  of  10  guns,  two  of  9  guns  each,  and  two  of  6 
guns  each. 

Eleven  steamers  of  the  first  and  second  class,  with  armaments  of  ten 
guns  down  to  one  gun. 

Five  store-ships,  two  of  6,  and  three  of  4  guns. 

The  officers  of  the  various  grades  are: 

Sixty-eight  captains;  Commodore  Charles  Stewart  being  now  at  the 

*  Thu  linc-of  battle  ship  Vermont  74  was  also  put  in  commission  to  be  connected  with  this 
expedition,  but  she  tias  not  been  al)Ie  to  go  to  sea  in  consequence  in  part  of  the  present  diffi- 
culty of  obtaining  seamen  for  the  Navy,  and  also  because  it  is  discovered  that  to  man  her  wlD 
raise  the  number  of  men  employed  in  this  branch  of  the  service  above  the  fnll  complemenc 
which  is  now  allowed  by  Uw. 


m 


ti 


'■J 


V'    A 


■  MJ 


100 


NAVAL  HISTORY. 


[1853. 


head  of  the  list  Ninety-Hoven  coinmandora ;  throe  hundred  and  twenty- 
Mven  Ueutenants;  sixty-nine  Burgeons;  forty  passed  assistant-surgeons;  ' 
thirty-seven  assistant-surgeons;  sixty-three  pursers;  twenty-four  chaplains; 
twelve  professors  of  mathematics;  fourteen  masters  in  the  hue  of  pro- 
motion; one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  paased-roidshipmen ;  one  hundred 
and  ninety-eight  midshipmen.  Petty  officers,  comprising  masters,  bbat»- 
wains,  gunners,  carpenters,  and  sailmakers,  about  two  hundre<l.  ^^ 

The  marine  corps  comprises  one  colonel,  who  is  a  brigadier-general  by 
brevet;  four  staff-officers;  one  lieutenant-colonel;  four  majors;  lit'teen 
captains;  twenty  first-lieutenants;  and  twenty  second-lieutenants.  The 
■team  service  possesses  one  engineer-in-chiei;  thirteen  chief-engineers; 
eighteen  first-assistants ;  thirty-four  second-assistants ;  and  thirty-four  tliird- 
assistants. 


-f,    ..,.:■ 


>  >    Aj-' 


X  ■•  ' ' 


V';f?'i-v^^.." 


■?*■  'jt.TtH'Or 


>:■''    ,  V  ■>     1 


iL 


f  ' 


[1863. 

hundred  and  twenty- 
id  aflBistant-HurgeonB; 
wenty-four  chaplains; 
K  in  the  line  of  pro- 
iipmen;  one  huudrefl 
)rwing  masters,  bbata- 
0  hundre<l. 

\  brigadier-general  by 
four  majors;  fifteen 
»nd-lieutenant8.  The 
irteon  chief-engineers; 
,;  and  thirty-four  third- 


'>  t 


.1  .  .  ;  I 


ERRATA. 

Vol.  I,  page  1 14,  lino  17.    For  "  40,"  read  "  49." 
"         "      122,    "      6.    For  "20,"  read  "28." 

"         "      157,    "    18  from  bottom.  For  "  expcaitlon,"  read  "  exlubition." 
"         "      172,    "      6  from  bottom.     For  "latter,"  read  " former ;"  and 
for  " windward,"  read  "leeward." 

Vol.  I.,  page  204,  lino  8  from  bottom.    After  "  New  York  36,"  read  "  Captain 
James  Barron  ;  John  Adams  28." 
Vol.  I.,  page  272,  line  13  from  bottom.    For  "  1842,"  read  "  1840." 
"         "        "       "   18  from  bottom.    For  "  1844,"  read  "  1843." 
Vol.  II.,  page   26,  line  16.    For  "  24,"  read  "  28." 
"  "        72,    "    26.    After"river,"insert"Ju8t  without  the  bar,  an- 

other brig  was  seen." 

Vol.  II.,  page  110,  line  16.    For  "display  in  the  causalities,"  read  "dispar- 
ity in  the  casualties." 

Vol.  II.,  page  110,  line  27.   After  "  were,"  insert  "  much  torn  to  pieces.    The 
water  being  quite." 
Vol.  II.,  pages  56,  70  and  elsewhere.    For  "  Mr.  Alwyn,"  read  "  Mr.  Aylwin." 
"         page  139,  line  12  from  bottom.    For  "  commanders,"  read  "  com- 
mands." 

Vol.  II.,  page  142,  line  26.    After  "  men,"  insert  "  No.  162,  Acting-lieutenant 
Spedden,  5  guns  and  35  men  ;" 
Vol.  II.,  page  187,  line  13.    For  "  end,"  read  "  middle." 
"  "      192,  last  line.    After  "  him,"  insert "  his  young  brother  and." 

"  "      193,  line  24.    After  "  master,"  insert  "  Mr.  Hambleton,  Purser." 

"  "      206,    "    13.    For "  marines,"  read  "  mariners." 

'•  "      213,    "     8  from  bottom.     After  " carronades,"  insert  "the 

Eagle,  8  long  eighteens,  and  12  thirty-two-pound  carronades  j" 

Vol.  II.  page  221,  line  9  from  bottom.    Among  the  officer?  in  command  of 
the  galleys,  whose  conduct  is  commended,  insert  "  Mr.  Stellwagen,  master." 


The  foot-notes,  stating  the  rank  of  certain  officers,  as  in  Vol.  II.,  pages 

56, 109  and  elsewhere,  remain  as  written  by  Mr.  Cooper  in  1846 


